Israel's Arab citizens must vote before it's too late

On 14 May 1948, members of Israel's provisional government inscribed their names on a scroll, marking its nascent Declaration of Independence. The document proclaimed the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. However, the ceremony was rushed, and the text was hastily penned above their signatures. This hastily-formed state would come to be led by David Ben-Gurion, who served as prime minister for roughly 13 years and left an indelible mark on the nation's institutions, military, and identity. His legacy persisted until 2019, when Benjamin Netanyahu surpassed him in terms of tenure.

For decades, no Israeli leader matched Ben-Gurion's record. However, Netanyahu's three stints as prime minister have solidified his position. He has skillfully cultivated a mythology around himself, asserting that no one else can fulfill the role. The election of 2023 is significant as it tests this narrative. Yet, it is not solely about one man; it also probes fundamental questions about Israel's identity that were left unresolved since its inception in 1948.

The declaration promised a constitution within a month, but the assembly that drafted it could not agree on its contents, especially concerning religion. As a compromise, Israel opted for a gradual process of creating basic laws over time. Yet, nearly 75 years later, this work remains incomplete, with many of the existing basic laws capable of being repealed or amended by a simple parliamentary majority.

The absence of a full constitution has left Israel's judiciary to interpret laws in the light of the basic laws, which the Supreme Court has declared can be struck down if they conflict.

In 2023, weeks after Netanyahu's return to power for a record sixth term, the unresolved question of Israel's constitution became a political battleground. His coalition aimed to curtail the Supreme Court's powers, including by allowing parliament to overrule its rulings by a simple majority. This sparked widespread protests, with hundreds of thousands of Israelis marching weekly for 39 Saturdays. The 40th protest was scheduled for 7 October, 2023, a date marked by tragedy.

On 7 October, Hamas-led gunmen launched a coordinated attack on southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostage. This assault, captured on video and broadcast live by the attackers, traumatized the entire nation. Netanyahu has long argued that those responsible for the attack's failures were not under his control. However, a recent report suggested UAE's ruler had warned him beforehand. Netanyahu's office dismissed the claims, but they undermined his defense.

Israel has a tradition of investigating such incidents. Fifty years prior, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur, killing more than 2,500 soldiers. In response, a state inquiry was established, and the then-prime minister, Golda Meir, resigned. Netanyahu has resisted a similar inquiry into the 7 October attacks, fearing its findings.

Families of the victims gathered in Tel Aviv to demand a state inquiry, emphasizing the unresolved questions about Israel's security and the nation's identity that have persisted since its founding.