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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Do not cancel rap artist Tamer Nafar’s performance
October 17, 2016
On 17 October 2016, ACRI called on the Mayor of Haifa to ensure that rap artist Tamer Nafar would perform in Haifa, … Read more
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Police brutality against Haredi demonstrators in Kiryat Gat
October 5, 2016
On 15 September 2016, 17 Haredi Yeshiva students from Bet Shemesh arrived in Kiryat Gat, with the intention of holding a silent … 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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How does the NGO Law affect organizations?
July 14, 2016
Dear Friends, I could not have been more proud when I started working as an intern at ACRI 16 … Read more
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ACRI’s response to the passing of the NGO Law
July 12, 2016
The NGO Law is intended to harm organizations that promote democracy and worldviews that differ from the views of the … Read more
Media
In the Knesset
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Update: Anti-Democratic Legislation Initiatives
August 2, 2012
In recent years, ACRI has been increasingly troubled by expanding assaults on Israel’s democratic values. Of great concern is the … Read more
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Government Attempts to Re-Legislate Bill Exempting State from Liability for Any Damages Caused to Palestinians
July 8, 2012
Proposed legislation seeks to prevent Palestinians from suing the State for damages caused by the Israeli military. Bill will be … 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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Bills for Arrangement of Outposts – a Step Up in Contempt for Rule of Law in OPT
June 5, 2012
Tomorrow (6 June 2012), two proposed bills are scheduled to be brought before the Knesset plenum for a preliminary reading, … Read more
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ACRI to MK Rotem: Oppose the Law Prohibiting Use of Nazi Symbols
May 29, 2012
Ahead of tomorrow’s (30 May 2012) scheduled discussion of the Proposed Law to Prohibit the Use of Nazi Symbols and … Read more
Legal Work
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The “Slavery Law” and Beyond: New Bills Targeting Foreign Residents
March 24, 2011
The Knesset Internal Affairs Committee is currently discussing three government-sponsored bills that aim to restrict the legal status of non-Jews … Read more
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Petition to the HCJ to Disqualify Acceptance to Communities Law
March 23, 2011
The Nakba Law and the Acceptance to Communities Law, part of the recent slew of anti-democratic legislation that ACRI has … Read more
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Racial Discrimination in Airports: One, Not Unusual, Story
March 21, 2011
“I am telling you all of this so that you would know. That it happens here. To Arabs. All the … Read more
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Protesting Lieberman’s New Discriminatory Criteria for Foreign Service
August 25, 2009
“As long as there is no law making national service compulsory, it cannot be used as a condition for being … Read more
Publications
Public Outreach
Policy Advocacy
Knesset Roundup
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Knesset Roundup | July 4
July 4, 2011
June 27 – July 10 2011 Recent Anti-Democratic Legislation June 27 | Preventing Harm to the State … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | June 20
June 20, 2011
June 1 – June 27 2011 Recent Anti-Democratic Legislation Early June | Attorney General Opposes Bill Discriminating … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | 6 June 2011
June 6, 2011
May 29 – June 6 2011 Recent Anti-Democratic Legislation May 29 | Monetary Limitations on Foreign Funding … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | 23 May 2011
May 23, 2011
May 16 – May 24 2011 Recent Anti-Democratic Legislation May 16 | “Slavery Law” Passes Final Vote … Read more
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ACRI Review of Knesset Winter Session
April 13, 2011
In recent years, ACRI has been increasingly troubled by expanding assaults on Israel’s democratic values. Of great concern is the … Read more