Former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak Declares Israel No Longer a Liberal Democracy

Former Israeli Supreme Court President Aharon Barak delivered a sharply worded address overnight, declaring that Israel can no longer be described as a liberal democracy, three years after the launch of the judicial reform initiative.

Barak spoke at a demonstration held against the backdrop of upcoming elections, marking three years since the start of the judicial overhaul promoted by the political right. The rally was organized by left-wing groups, with Barak serving as the keynote speaker.

In his remarks, Barak argued that the erosion of Israel’s democratic character did not occur in a single dramatic moment, but rather through a prolonged process. “We are no longer a liberal democracy, and this did not happen in one dramatic, one-time event. It is a process in which essential components of democracy are under severe attack, and democracy is being weakened,” he said.

Barak went on to describe what he called an unprecedented concentration of power. “Our system of government today is rule by a single political authority that is effectively controlled by one person. That person controls the government and controls the Knesset. That person is the prime minister,” he stated.

Turning directly to the judicial reform, Barak said the effort was aimed at neutralizing the only institution capable of restraining governmental power. “For this control to be complete, it is necessary to take over the one body that can oversee the government — the court. It is no surprise that the first stage of the regime change focused on appointing judges and on their power to invalidate legislation and government actions. When the court is ‘ours,’ the rule of law will no longer exist in government. In its place will come rule by the government through law.”

Barak also leveled criticism at law enforcement authorities, accusing the police of improper conduct. “The police are exercising their power in an unequal and unrestrained manner,” he said.

Despite his bleak assessment, Barak concluded with a call to public action, emphasizing that the judiciary alone cannot halt what he described as democratic decline. “The court, on its own, will not be able over time to prevent our deterioration. Only the people — who stand at the center of liberal democracy — can stop it. Each of us must take hold of the flag of the state, raise it high, and thereby express loyalty to the state and not to its rulers, to the rule of law and not to the rule of the ruler.”

{Matzav.com}