Political scientist: Netanyahu government has attacked Israel's judiciary and democratic institutions
Alain Greilsammer, a professor of political science at Bar-Ilan University, tells France 24 that Israel's upcoming election will largely turn on democratic accountability and judicial independence. He warns that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies risk turning the country into an authoritarian or non-democratic state.
Alain Greilsammer, a professor of political science at Bar-Ilan University in Tel Aviv, assessed Israel's upcoming election and the country's domestic political climate in an interview with the France 24 broadcaster. The conversation was hosted by journalist Annette Young.
In his view, three issues will shape the course of the vote: democratic accountability, the independence of the judiciary, and the unequal distribution of civic obligations across society. These concerns are heightened by the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, regional tensions with Iran and deepening divisions within Israeli society.
Greilsammer argues that the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has attacked the country's judicial system, the Supreme Court and other democratic institutions. He warns that current policies risk turning Israel into "something like an authoritarian or non-democratic state."
The professor also points to the potential role of Israel's Arab political parties. In his assessment, they could play a decisive part in determining the outcome of the election.
The source material gives no further details on the election date or on specific party polling figures, so the assessments set out in the interview reflect the views of the expert himself.
