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)
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State Responds to Petition by ACRI, Peace Now and Yesh Din Challenging the Expropriation Law in the High Court
August 22, 2017
Yesterday (21.8.2017), the Government of Israel submitted its official response to the petition to Israel’s High Court of Justice challenging … 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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Clarifications to the Entry to Israel Law
May 23, 2017
Last week, the Ministry of Strategic Affairs began to outline the criteria for the new amendment to the Entry to Israel … Read more
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New Israeli law allows state to block return, revoke citizenship of Israeli nationals living overseas
March 19, 2017
Law allows revocation of citizenship based on unproven and speculative ‘concern’ that state security might be threatened. 8 March 2017 … Read more
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Knesset approves law barring boycott supporters from entering Israel and the OPT
March 8, 2017
The Law violates most basic tenets of democracy by making political opinions a consideration that may prevent non-citizens from entering … Read more
Media
In the Knesset
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Eagerness to silence criticism is greater than support for democracy
December 28, 2015
The Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs proved once again that there is more support for silencing criticism than for democracy. … Read more
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ACRI Opposes Yet Another Anti-NGO Bill
March 2, 2014
Amendment would disqualify NGOs that contradict Israel’s Jewish character On Sunday March 2, 2014, the Ministerial Committee … Read more
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Government Approves New Draconian Anti-Infiltration Bill
November 18, 2013
Bill allows for one-year incarceration of new asylum seekers, subjects all asylum seekers to forced relocation to ‘open’ detention … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | October 29
October 29, 2013
To receive the Knesset Roundup directly to your email, click here. … Read more
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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
Legal Work
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High Court Ignores Chilling Effect Caused by the “Nakba Law”
January 5, 2012
High Court: “The questions that this law raises will only become clear with its implementation” Adalah and ACRI: “The … Read more
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ACRI Condemns Efforts to Suppress Tent City Protesters
July 26, 2011
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) condemns recent efforts by the police and authorities to violate freedom of … Read more
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High Court Issues Order Nisi Regarding Acceptance to Communities Law
June 20, 2011
The High Court of Justice has issued an Order Nisi following two separate petitions filed against the Acceptance to Communities … Read more
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High Court Petition: “Nakba Law Is Unconstitutional”
May 4, 2011
In a petition filed to Israel’s High Court of Justice today (May 4) by human rights groups, alumni of an … Read more
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High Court Orders Knesset to Explain Rescindment of MK Zoabi’s Rights
April 27, 2011
The High Court of Justice has issued an Order Nisi yesterday (26 April 2011), instructing the Knesset to explain within … Read more
Publications
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Harming Democracy in the Heart of Democracy
October 4, 2010
A Position Paper Ahead of the Knesset’s Winter Session by Attorney Debbie Gild-Hayo October 2010 For links to the texts … Read more
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Striking a Balance between Security and Human Rights
July 8, 2010
ACRI submits position paper on draft counter-terror bill In July, ACRI submitted to the Justice Ministry a position paper on … Read more
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ACRI’s State of Human Rights Report 2009: Rights on Condition
December 6, 2009
Annual survery finds conditioning of rights affects all members of society, weakens Israeli democracy JERUSALEM – December 6, 2009 – … Read more
Public Outreach
Policy Advocacy
Knesset Roundup
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Knesset Continues Attempts to Silence Civil Society
November 8, 2011
The Knesset’s winter session opened only a week ago, and is already continuing to promote concerning anti-democratic legislation. As ACRI … Read more
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Knesset Winter Session Begins: Trends and Concerns
October 31, 2011
Two contradictory main trends are likely to be at the center of the Knesset’s winter session, which opened yesterday: the … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | Summary of Summer Session 2011
August 22, 2011
Knesset Summary – Summer 2011 With the conclusion of the summer 2011 Knesset session, the Association for Civil … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | August 2
August 2, 2011
August 1 – August 4 2011 Upcoming Anti-Democratic Legislation August 1-3 | National Housing Committees Bill In … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | July 18
July 18, 2011
July 11 – July 20 2011 Recent Anti-Democratic Legislation July 11 | Preventing Harm to the State … Read more