Israel has fought for its existence and survival since its inception. After fighting many wars and facing constant threats from opposing nations, Israelis are now fighting for their democracy. This struggle is being fought not with tanks or firearms, but with the strength of togetherness, protest, and desire to safeguard the very essence of their country.
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets last week in protest of the Netanyahu government’s passage, and first Knesset reading, of the “reasonableness bill,” which severely limits judicial review of decisions made by the cabinet, government ministers, and other elected officials.
The law is part of a contentious legislative package backed by Netanyahu’s hardline coalition, which intends to dramatically reform Israel’s independent court and limit checks and balances on political authority. The government intends to put the law up for final votes within the next few days.
And our emphatic response is “NO.”
“We at JVP and the entire Israeli high-tech sector, whose members went out in droves to protest, alongside doctors, teachers, members of the military reserves, pilots, special forces units, and people from all walks of life, are saying no to dictatorship and yes to democracy.
Aside from their economic benefits to Israel, the tech community understands the critical role that democracy and societal openness play in encouraging innovation, invention, and creativity. These ideals form the bedrock of the national spirit that propels the country’s global prosperity. As a result, the high-tech sector has banded together with other companies to defend the democratic foundations that have allowed Israel to thrive.
“We will not allow a government attempting to consolidate power and weaken the ideals that have made Israel a beacon of democracy in the region to undermine our hard-won liberties”.
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“What Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has found in many of us are warriors. Just like we have been warriors on the front lines, we are also warriors in this battle for democracy. We understand that the strength of a nation lies not only in its military might but also in its commitment to upholding the values of justice, equality, and freedom. We will not stand idly by as these values are threatened.”.
“In a country with such strong societal bonds and with so many people who have sacrificed and paid heavy prices, we can’t let this government hijack the judicial system and transform Israel from a proud, hard-earned liberal democracy into something we no longer recognize”.
“For Israelis, democracy and societal openness are the very fundamental conditions of innovation, invention, and creativity. It is our national spirit”.
“The collective determination to defend democratic principles reflects the deep societal bonds and the belief that preserving democracy is vital for the continued success and prosperity of the nation”.
“Technology and innovation — for JVP and many in the high-tech sector and other industries — have been instrumental in fostering cooperation and partnerships with other tech and business ecosystems, not just in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, but also in the Middle East. Countries like the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan have become allies in the pursuit of technological progress and economic growth”.
“We cannot let everything we built be destroyed by a government intent on harming Israel’s independent judiciary, a cornerstone of every democracy. The high-tech sector, along with various other industries, stands united in its commitment to safeguard the democratic values that have propelled Israel’s success on the global stage”.
“Just as they have been warriors on the front lines of technological advancement, they are now warriors in the fight to protect their nation’s democratic soul. The determination to overcome this existential crisis and uphold the core values that define Israel’s identity and strength is a testament to the resilience and unity of the Israeli people. This pivotal moment calls for a resolute stance on the values that have shaped the country’s history, and it is one that will shape its future”.
“We are going to overcome this, and the people who are trying to derail democracy today will be gone tomorrow. Often, in the history of countries, there are key moments of real, existential crisis that demand answers on values”
“For Israel, this is one of those moments”.
