Human Rights and Democracy Under the 25th Knesset and 37th Government
The terms of the 25th Knesset and the 37th government are coming to an end. In the shadow of October 7 and the subsequent war, their terms were marked by substantial declines in human rights and democracy. They included the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the devastating impact on Israeli civilians, the prolonged captivity of the hostages, as well as the sharp rise in settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and the failure to enforce the law against the perpetrators. This government and Knesset were also responsible for the judicial overhaul, which included undermining the independence of the judiciary and civil service; attempts to restrict freedom of expression and protest; and violating the rights of already-vulnerable populations, including Arab society, detainees, and prisoners.
Below are summaries of the deterioration in human rights resulting from the policies and actions of the outgoing government and Knesset.
Damage to the Justice System
The coalition's flagship project during the 25th Knesset’s term was the advancement of a judicial overhaul, centered on an ongoing effort to weaken the justice system and the rule of law. This included incitement against and delegitimization of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General, and other gatekeepers; disregard for court rulings and legal opinions; and the promotion of legislation intended to curtail the independence and authority of legal and legislative gatekeepers. Key measures included the abolition of the reasonableness standard, which was struck down by the Supreme Court; changes to the composition of the Judicial Selection Committee that increase political control over judicial appointments; changes to the method of appointing the Ombudsperson for Complaints Against Judges; the politicization of the Police Internal Investigations Department; and efforts to undermine the role of the Attorney General.
Two Separate Law Enforcement Systems
During the terms of the 25th Knesset and the 37th government, a separate law enforcement system for the Arab population increasingly took shape. While this was not a formal process, policies and legislation were advanced that in practice created distinctions between Arabs and Jews in Israel with respect to law enforcement, resulting in discriminatory enforcement against Arabs. This was carried out under the guise of combating terrorism or serious crime, which the government and the Knesset attributed exclusively to Arabs, and with deep involvement by the Minister of National Security in police and law enforcement policy.
Negev Bedouins
Discriminatory and damaging policies aimed at the Bedouin population in the Negev continued and intensified, particularly with regard to land rights, planning, and settlement. A series of government decisions, policy measures, and actions on the ground violated the rights of Bedouin citizens and deepened their exclusion from public spaces. There was also an increase in rhetoric portraying Bedouins as a threat, and as people taking over State lands. This false narrative has provided legitimacy for harsher enforcement measures, home demolitions, and the displacement of communities.
