Many Israelis Think New Laws Undemocratic
Nearly half of the Israeli public believes that a recent series of bills raised in Knesset are endangering democracy in Israel, a recent Haaretz-Dialog poll found.
The poll examined the public’s attitudes toward a series of bills recently discussed by the Knesset which critics say would undermine the Supreme Court, human rights organizations and freedom of the press.
The poll asked respondents whether they agreed with critics that the bills undermine democracy, or with proponents’ claim that the bills are worthy legislation that give the majority the ability to govern.
The critics scored a clear victory here: A plurality of 46 percent said the bills undermined democracy, compared to 37 percent who deemed them worthy legislation and 17 percent who said they didn’t know.
A similar proportion, 45 percent, said they were unhappy with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attitude toward the justice system and with the bills the coalition has proposed on this subject, compared to 39 percent who said they were satisfied with the premier’s conduct on this issue.
For more, go to Haaretz.com
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