Anti-Democratic Initiatives
You have reached ACRI’s archive, updated with our activity up until 2018. For more recent posts, please visit our current website here.
In the past few years, ACRI has been increasingly concerned by intensifying infringements on democratic freedoms in Israel. Of particular concern is the fact that two of the central arenas from which these threats arise are the very ones charged with safeguarding democracy: The Knesset (Israeli parliament) and government leadership. Senior officials have voiced harsh and unprecedented statements against human rights organizations, political groups, and minorities, and have made various attempts to curtail their operations. A tide of anti-democratic legislative proposals is being introduced in the Knesset and there is a rising wave of assaults on social, political, and national minorities in the public sphere.
As a result, the basic principles of the Israeli democratic system are being undermined. There is an ongoing infringement on issues such as freedom of expression, human dignity and equality and on freedom of assembly and protest. ACRI seeks to educate the public on the increasing threat to basic democratic values through publications including the annual Human Rights Report. ACRI continues to demand accountability with regards to democratic principles and the assurance of such principles in every aspect of Israeli life.
Overview of Anti Democratic Legislation (updated October 2018)
All
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Knesset Round Up | June 3
June 3, 2018
Subscribe to our weekly Knesset update here: Registration Urban planning and building in the West Bank Strategic control of the … Read more
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HCJ dismisses petition against the “Expulsion Law”
May 28, 2018
On May 27th, 2018 at 8:30pm, the High Court of Justice dismissed one of two petitions against the “Expulsion Law.” … Read more
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The Override Clause Will Permit the Nullification of Supreme Court Decisions Grounded in the Basic Laws. This is an Alarming Prospect.
April 22, 2018
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Transfer of OPT petitions from the High Court to the Court for Administrative Affairs in Jerusalem
February 25, 2018
Memorandum on Administrative Affairs Courts Law (amendment – a decision of an authority in the area) 5768 – 2018 According … Read more
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Update: Overview of Anti-Democratic Legislation in the 20th Knesset
December 24, 2017
In recent years we have witnessed a disturbing trend toward the erosion of democratic values in Israel and the promotion … Read more
Media
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ACRI Condemns Campaign against NIF, Naomi Chazan
February 2, 2010
Slanderous and ugly campaign challenges basic foundations of Israeli democracy JERUSALEM – February 2, 2010 – The Association for Civil … Read more
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Why Is Israel Trying To Break Breaking the Silence?
August 16, 2009
Breaking the Silence and other organizations that ask difficult and important questions publicly and fearlessly are essential to the well-being … Read more
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NGOs Protest Government Attempts to Silence ‘Breaking the Silence’
August 11, 2009
ACRI and partners call on government to participate in public debate on Gaza War testimonies by soldiers as detailed in … Read more
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Confronting Racism in all its Forms, Wherever it Arises
June 24, 2009
Jewish concerns over the gains made by far-right parties across Europe should not be limited to Europe alone. New trends … Read more
In the Knesset
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Update: Overview of Anti-Democratic Legislation in the 20th Knesset
December 24, 2017
In recent years we have witnessed a disturbing trend toward the erosion of democratic values in Israel and the promotion … Read more
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Knesset Round Up | October 30
October 30, 2017
Administrative Detention Proposed Law: The Struggle against Terror, 5775-2015 – Remaining section – Preparation for Second and Third Readings Constitution, … Read more
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Overview of Anti-Democratic Legislation in the 20th Knesset
July 1, 2017
In recent years we have witnessed a disturbing trend toward the erosion of democratic values in Israel and the promotion … Read more
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Knesset vote today on MK Expulsion Bill
July 19, 2016
ACRI Attorney Debbie Gild-Hayo: “This is one of the most serious legislative proposals in recent years, and it harms the … Read more
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Update – NGO Law approved by the Knesset
July 11, 2016
In recent years there have been a series of attempts to constrict and delegitimise human rights organizations in Israel, especially those … Read more
Legal Work
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Supreme Court permits publication of ACRI’s filings in ‘Prisoner X’ Case
February 20, 2013
In response to ACRI’s request, the Supreme Court and the Central District Court have permitted the full publication of … Read more
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Supreme Court permits publication of ACRI’s filings in ‘Prisoner X’ Case
February 20, 2013
In response to ACRI’s request, the Supreme Court and the Central District Court have permitted the full publication of … Read more
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High Court refuses to rule on the denial MK Zoabi’s parliamentary rights
February 14, 2013
An expanded panel of seven Supreme Court Justices yesterday (February 13, 2013) dismissed a petition filed by MK Hanin … Read more
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High Court Orders State to Justify Legality of Anti-Boycott Law
December 11, 2012
High Court issues order nisi demanding the government explain why the Boycott Prohibition Law should remain in effect. Yesterday … Read more
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High Court of Justice Denies Arab Citizens Right to Vote
August 2, 2012
Bir Hadaj residents prevented from registering for regional council elections; Opinion warns that allowing Bedouin petitioners to vote in predominately … Read more
Publications
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ACRI to Election Committee: Parties and Candidates Must not Be Disqualified on Ideology
December 19, 2012
The Knesset’s Central Election Committee will hold a hearing today (Wednesday 19 December) on a number of petitions to disqualify … Read more
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ACRI’s State of Human Rights Report 2012
December 16, 2012
ACRI’s 2012 Situation Report examines the current state of human rights in Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories: house … Read more
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Protest under Threat
June 24, 2012
This past weekend, two summer phenomena returned to the streets of Tel Aviv: the longtime tradition of a summer heat … Read more
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It’s the Occupation, Stupid.
June 11, 2012
After 45 years, Israel’s control over Palestinian life cannot be seen as temporary, or as an aberration. It is no … Read more
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Position Paper: Supreme Court under Attack
February 29, 2012
In every substantive democracy, the judiciary – particularly the Supreme Court – constitutes a central pillar in the protection of … Read more
Public Outreach
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Together We Stand to Fight Racism, Demand Justice
December 12, 2010
In a show of force of Israel’s human rights community, ten thousand people gathered on December 10, 2010 in Tel … Read more
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Refugees are not Criminals, Infiltrators or Someone Else’s Problem!
June 17, 2010
ACRI, partners to mark International Refugee Day on June 18 with country-wide mobilization campaign To mark World Refugee Day on … Read more
Policy Advocacy
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ACRI to MK Aharonivich: Human Rights and Police Work are not Incompatible
November 15, 2013
On Tuesday (November 12), the Minister of Public Security, MK Yitzhak Aharonovich, announced that he intends to authorize the … Read more
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ACRI Protests Raising the Elections Threshold
October 3, 2013
Rather than improving governance, the proposed bill will weaken the political representation of minorities- in particular Arabs … Read more
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ACRI to Attorney General: End the Isolation of the New Prisoner X
July 13, 2013
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) sent an urgent letter to Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein demanding his immediate … Read more
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ACRI: ‘Jenin Jenin’ Law is Dangerous and Undemocratic
May 22, 2013
Proposed amendment to public defamation law would create a private right of action for otherwise anonymous soldiers to … Read more
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‘Temporary’ Citizenship Law is Extended for a 10th Year.
April 23, 2013
The Knesset has approved a further extension of the “temporary” order known as the ‘Citizenship Law’ (83 votes … Read more
Knesset Roundup
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Knesset Roundup | March 4
March 4, 2014
To receive the Knesset Roundup directly to your email, click here. … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | February 18
February 18, 2014
To receive the Knesset Roundup directly to your email, click here. … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | February 4
February 4, 2014
To receive the Knesset Roundup directly to your email, click here. … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | January 21
January 21, 2014
To receive the Knesset Roundup directly to your email, click … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | December 17
December 17, 2013
To receive the Knesset Roundup directly to your email, click here. … Read more