Israel's democracy at risk: Barak urges non‑violent resistance

Ehud Barak, the former Prime Minister of Israel, is calling for the government to be overthrown. In an article in "Haaretz," he stated that the current leadership of the country, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is executing a plan that bears the hallmarks of an anti-democratic coup. According to Barak, if these actions are not halted, Israel could soon transform into a dictatorship.

"The only way to prevent a dictatorship at such a late stage is by shutting down the country through large-scale, nonviolent civil disobedience," emphasized the 82-year-old Labor Party politician, who led the Israeli government from 1999-2001.

Barak emphasizes that democracy is not only the rule of the majority but also the protection of minority rights, the balance between different branches of government, and respect for key documents, such as the Declaration of Independence of Israel.

Among the charges against Netanyahu, Barak lists ignoring the function and opinions of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, appointed by the previous cabinet for a six-year term. Her role is to oversee the prosecution and interpret the law for the needs of the executive branch. Her positions are mandatory for the government, as indicated by a recent Supreme Court ruling.

According to Barak, the Netanyahu government has repeatedly disregarded Baharav-Miara's position, manifested in law violations by making decisions without consulting the Attorney General, replacing her opinions with advice from private law firms. The recent appointment of the head of the civil service without consulting an independent committee, despite Baharav-Miara's opposition, is another example of what Barak calls a "revolt" against legal principles and government legitimacy.

The former Prime Minister concludes that when the government ignores the law and the rulings of the Supreme Court, it paves the way for arbitrary decisions, including the possibility of arrests without clear cause or the suspension of free elections.