Israel’s ballot box or Pandora’s box? - opinion

In mythology, Pandora opened a box, releasing suffering and misfortune onto humanity. Now, Israelis face their own version of Pandora's box as they prepare to cast their votes. Israel is not merely holding an ordinary election, but a nation grappling with eight intertwined crises: military, diplomatic, political, and cognitive.

These threats range from Iran and its proxies, international delegitimization, uncertain alliances, and internal divisions, to the most daunting challenge: the erosion of truth and the spread of lies, hatred, and internal strife. In an era where cognitive faculties are being attacked, how can a democracy make decisions that are vital to its survival?

In my recent column, "When journalism fails, democracy fails," I likened a family awaiting news of a loved one's life-saving surgery to the current Israeli electorate. Amidst anxiety and fear, rational judgment is clouded, just as Israel's citizens are bombarded with accusations, selective reporting, propaganda, outrage, and AI-generated content. The truth becomes obscured, making it difficult for the electorate to make informed decisions.

The intoxicating electorate faces an uphill battle as they consume information constantly, yet question its reliability. While some are more susceptible to manipulation than others, the digital platforms' designs reward emotional reactions over understanding, fostering a landscape where nuance struggles to survive. Even if every social media user isn't addicted or every voter incapable of independent thought, the environment can still weaken our capacity for political judgment.

The eighth front - the psychological battle - is the most insidious. Israel has formidable military capabilities, but they cannot shield a society from all forms of cognitive manipulation. Iran, Russia, China, Qatar, and other actors have distinct interests and techniques, exploiting the very divisions within Israel. In this global ecosystem of hostility, the real threat may not be a direct attempt to persuade Israelis to adopt a foreign ideology, but rather to deepen mistrust, weaken institutional credibility, and incite internal conflict.

While disagreements over leadership, accountability, judicial authority, religion and state, military service, national security, and international relations are valid, they can easily transform into delegitimization, where opponents are seen as traitors and electoral defeat is perceived as national extinction. Our brothers and sisters, who share schools, hospitals, universities, and workplaces, become perceived as enemies.

This dangerous mindset is detrimental to our collective survival. Israelis will still need one another, even amidst political turmoil. No government can instantly address the complex challenges facing the nation, just as an enormous ship cannot turn abruptly. The journey ahead requires strategic realism, acknowledging that change takes time, resources, and cooperation from all sectors of society.