We Are Here? A Multi-Dimensional Democracy for Israel

Israel is facing a historic moment of reckoning, in which the existing political structure can no longer provide effective answers to the core issues dividing society, nor genuinely reflect the sovereignty of the people. The representative system, based solely on periodic elections, fails to grant citizens real influence over policymaking, does not encourage accountability of elected officials outside election seasons, and struggles to produce public decisions with broad legitimacy. Politics in Israel has become a battleground of personal and identity-based conflicts, rather than a space for meaningful public dialogue. Public trust in institutions has been eroded to the core - and democracy itself feels hollow.

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In response to this situation, we have launched a research-based and practical initiative that seeks to revive democracy by adding two vital dimensions: deliberative democracy and direct democracy. Integrating referendums and citizens’ assemblies into the existing governmental framework will strengthen civic sovereignty, encourage substantive and diverse public discourse, and enhance the legitimacy of difficult decisions. These tools, which have already proven effective in other countries, can restore politics to its essential purpose: open, reasoned public deliberation and collective decision-making on crucial issues that genuinely reflect the will of the majority.

The research identifies the systemic failures that have led to the current deadlock and outlines new pathways forward, including institutional design. It proposes establishing structured mechanisms to initiate referendums, mandatory referendums, optional referendums initiated by the Knesset, and citizen-initiated referendums. It also details the creation of a Citizens’ Assembly preceding every referendum, composed through random selection to reflect the diversity of the population. Participants would engage in learning from experts and credible, pluralistic sources, followed by deliberation and the formulation of recommendations.

In addition, the proposal includes forming a national authority responsible for referendums and citizens’ assemblies, featuring a Citizens’ Council composed of rotating members from the public. The research further examines the expected impact of the proposed model on various sectors and contentious issues, demonstrating how it could function within Israel’s complex political reality. As part of this work, we present new findings from a nationwide survey we conducted, assessing public attitudes - across diverse communities - toward both the current state of democracy and the potential inclusion of citizens’ assemblies and referendums as complementary mechanisms.

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In the ongoing dialogue between Athens, Rome, and Jerusalem, between popular participation, institutional order, and moral-spiritual responsibility, Israel is called to choose a path of renewed democratic responsibility. This is a powerful call not merely for institutional reform, but for the creation of a new political culture: one that is open, solidaric, and courageous.

The Israeli demos, like the sword of Damocles, hangs above our heads—yet also invites us to grasp it with care, and with hope.