IDI Hosts Special Diplomatic Corps Briefing: "Constitution by Consensus" – A Cross-Sector Debate on the Identity of the State of Israel and Constitutional Principles
The second of three special briefings for Israel's diplomatic corps is scheduled to take place on April 15th, at the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI). As part of this meeting, IDI's senior researchers will speak about the importance of drafting an Israeli constitution that is suitable for all Israelis – a constitution by consensus.
In June 2000, the IDI embarked on a monumental project to create a constitution for the state of Israel. The process of drafting a Constitution by Consensus took seven years and involved hundreds of politicians, political scientists, jurists, philosophers, sociologists, and intellectuals-at-large. Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews, Israeli Arabs, and immigrants from the former Soviet Union were among the many sectors engaged in the lengthy and difficult dialogue.
Some of the questions which had to be dealt with during the drafting process:
- What does it mean to be a “Jewish and democratic” state?
- Does Israel’s Jewish character conflict with its commitment to freedom of religion?
- How do the fragmented sectors of Israeli society view their relationship to one another and to the state?
- Can a constitution bridge these gaps and ensure a stable unified Israeli democracy?
These questions strike at the heart of the complex political and ideological fragmentation that plagues Israeli society. The distance between sectors in Israel – Arab and Jewish, religious and secular, and many others – grows with each passing year. Tensions rise between judicial, legislative and executive branches of government as they struggle for power across ambiguous boundaries. The definition of ‘Israeli’ is subject to increasing dispute. In order to resolve these pressing issues, Israel needs what most modern democracies already have – a constitution.
In preparation for the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel, the IDI has decided to invite the diplomatic corps to learn and discuss the issue of an Israeli constitution by consensus. In attendance will be members of Knesset, academics, and many other influential guests.
Following the briefing, an interview will be held with MK Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson, head of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee. The interview will be filmed and uploaded to our English site for the benefit of IDI's online audience.