Israel’s eroding democracy

One of the inherent ironies of a proper democracy is that a parliamentary majority can vote to temper or even topple the tenets upon which a country’s democratic qualities are founded. In that sense, no one can disagree that Israel is a true democracy. On July 11, the Knesset passed a Boycott Law, which penalizes any Israeli citizen who dares call for or endorse an economic, cultural or academic boycott of the country as a whole or “areas under its control.” Approved by a 47-to-38 vote, the law allows companies and institutions targeted by such a call or endorsement to seek damages. It furthermore stipulates that an individual or company calling for a boycott will no longer be eligible to bid in government tenders. It remains to be seen if the law will stand when applied in court, as it has been protested as a violation of Israel’s constitutional right