A broken system: Can Israel fix its electoral rules before its democracy crumbles? - analysis

Israel's electoral system has reached a breaking point, with several elections in the 2019-2021 period and current mixed results signaling the urgent need for reform. The current system, dominated by a few large parties and sectarian interests, has created a fractured political landscape where minority groups' needs are often neglected.

One potential solution is implementing term limits for Israeli leaders, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is approaching 77 years old. Term limits, as seen in several democracies, would prevent any single leader from dominating the system and promote balance between competing political factions. A two-term limit, each lasting four years or a one-time six-year term, could provide a framework for this reform.

Another crucial step is moving towards a more balanced two-party system or a threshold that limits the system to three or four parties. Currently, numerous parties focus on narrow sectoral interests rather than the national good. Fewer large parties would force mainstream parties to incorporate minority sectors and prioritize broader national issues. Direct elections for the prime minister could be explored with a two-party system, but this should be avoided with more than two parties to prevent sectarian voting patterns.

Additionally, quotas for representation of sectarian groups within large parties could be established initially. While the goal is not to eliminate the influence of these groups, bringing them under larger parties and national issues would be a step forward. Eventually, linking Knesset members to specific zones and constituencies rather than solely relying on party leaders would ensure a more balanced representation of diverse interests.

A proposed compromise mini-constitution could also be considered to streamline the process. This mini-constitution, proposed by Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, could achieve bipartisan support and increase government and opposition influence over judicial appointments while limiting the power of the executive and legislative branches to pass arbitrary basic laws. The compromise aimed to evenly stack the deck politically and ensure the High Court of Justice's independence, albeit in a politically charged environment.

Lastly, reforms to the Election Commission are essential. With political officials constantly clashing and attempting to undermine the democratic process, the system itself has become a farce. Strengthening the Election Commission is crucial to prevent the tearing down of democracy, as evidenced by the recent threats to refuse election results due to alleged vote fraud.

The Knesset's selection of the State Comptroller should be respected, and efforts to pressure members to violate the secret ballot should be firmly addressed.