הישראלי לדמוקרטיה- מרץ 2017

GPO
PROVIDING A CRUCIAL MIRROR
Israeli society is undergoing significant
changes. We have moved from a society
of one majority alongside many minorities
to a society made up of four increasingly
equal “tribes.”
These tribes have separate education systems
and often live in separate towns and
cities. They do not have the opportunity
to meet each other, they do not know each
other, and so, tragically, they rarely understand
each other. They each have different
identities and aspirations.
Our challenge and our duty as a society is
to build bridges of understanding and mutual
respect between these different groups
and forge a modern and new agenda, a new
Israeli hope.
Importantly, and in contrast to other
democracies, Israel needs to reinforce itself
from within while it is under attack from
without. Throughout the years, Israel's
democracy has developed alongside the
struggle against terrorism and the need to
maintain Israel's security.
There are also social and economic gaps
inside Israel – between the periphery and
the center, between the ultra-Orthodox
and mainstream, and between Arabs and
Jews. These gaps are wide and potentially
dangerous. Closing them is a strategic need,
and the right steps have begun to be taken.
Our ability to promote an inclusive vision of
the “Israeli dream” depends on our ability
to close these gaps and provide hope to each
and every young person in Israel – in Kiryat
Shmona, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Modi’in Illit
and Rahat alike.
The research carried out by the Israel
Democracy Institute provides a crucial mirror
for us to look in and see clearly the challenges
and opportunities we face. It helps us continue
to be a beacon of freedom and equality in a
difficult region. It helps Israel be a light to the
nations and a light for ourselves.
I am delighted to see this cooperation with
The Jerusalem Report, in looking deeper at
some of these important issues.
Reuven Rivlin
President of the State of Israel
COURTESY IDI
VISION, PASSION, DEDICATION
I
joined the Israel Democracy Institute’s
leadership shortly after stepping down as
US Secretary of State, because I believed
then and still believe today that one of Israel’s
biggest challenges is to maintain an open
society while existing in a permanent state
of siege. Over the years, IDI has proven itself
equal to that challenge.
Whether one considers the overhaul of the
national budgeting process, the tremendous
investment in political and electoral reform
and improved governance, or the sustained
and thoughtful advocacy on behalf of civil
liberties – Israel is a better place for IDI’s
efforts.
Today, Israel and the rest of the world are
facing a new danger: the war being waged
by Islamic State and Iran in the name of
religion. After centuries of successful separation
between religion and war, the two are
becoming intertwined in the 21st century.
We have to be focused and uncompromising
in confronting this challenge.
A second big challenge of the age is
how to govern over diversity in the age of
transparency. Governments everywhere
are struggling to come to terms with the
consequences of the information revolution
and the extraordinary movement of people
across borders. Perhaps Israel, a start-up
nation enduring in a sea of autocracy, can
serve as the “city upon a hill” envisioned by
its founders.
In these times of extraordinary change
and upheaval, IDI’s efforts to strengthen the
institutions and values that underlie Israeli
democracy are more important than ever
before. I believe in the Institute’s vision, and
in the passion and dedication of its team.
I hope that Israel’s friends and supporters
will do what they can to help IDI succeed in
its mission.
George P. Shultz
Former US Secretary of State
Honorary Chair, IDI International Advisory Council
DEMOCRACY 3.0 APRIL 2017
3