Israeli Institutions at the Crossroads

"Israeli Institutions at a Crossroads "is a unique collection of essays about Israeli society and its institutions. Leading scholars in the field provide an in-depth account of the current obstacles Israel faces, such as the fight against terror, and tackle the question of how its institutions may be adapted to counter current concerns. We consider relationships between democracy and bureaucracy, the issue of separation of powers in democracy and more specifically the role of the Supreme Court. This book also provides the reader with an in-depth comprehension of the roles of other influential institutions: the government, the Presidency, the Knesset, the Legal Advisor to the Government, and the State Comptroller. Finally, we are guided through a discussion of the education system as well as the press council and its role in a democratic society. This volume was previously published as a special issue of the journal Israel Affairs.""

This is a fascinating collection of essays about Israeli society and its institutions. It is written by practitioners who have experience and understanding, who are equipped with the insight and knowledge, and who bore responsibility while serving the public in the various institutions. Among the authors are former State President Yitzhak Navon, former cabinet minister Gad Yaakobi, former Deputy Speaker of the Knesset Naomi Chazan, former Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein, Former Supreme Court President Meir Shamgar, the State Comptroller Eliezer Goldberg, and former member of the Press Council Raphael Cohen-Almagor. The decision-makers provide fresh, practical observations and personal, valuable accounts of their respective roles. The book aims to tackle timely concerns, analyzing the relationships between democracy and bureaucracy, the military-political complex, the issue of separation of powers in democracy and more specifically the role of the Supreme Court, and the need for a written, solid constitution. It also discusses citizenship education. The book will be useful to researchers on Israeli democracy, students, teachers, historians, sociologists, political scientists and legal scholars who wish to better understand this fascinating society and its institutions.

1. Introduction 2. The Crisis of Governance: Government Instability and the Civil Service 3. Citizenship Education in Israel - A Jewish-Democratic State 4. The Political-Military Complex: The IDF's Influence Over Policy towards the Palestinians since 1987 5. On the Need for a Constitution 6. Presidency in Israel: Formal Authority and Personal Experience 7. The Government 8. The Knesset 9. The Attorney General in Israel: A Delicate Balance of Powers and Responsibilities in a Jewish and Democratic State 10. Particularist Considerations and the Absence of Strategic Assessment in the Israeli Public Administration: The Role of the Comptroller 11. The Press Council 12. Israeli Institutions at the Crossroads