• About Us
  • Mission
  • Staff
  • Regional Offices
  • Advisory Board
  • Young Leadership Board
  • Partner Organizations and Testimonials
  • Accomplishments & Highlights
  • Hasbara Fellowships in the News
  • Job/Internship Opportunities
  • Hasbara Fellowships Overview
• Contact Us
• Calendar
• Donate
• Site Map

Israeli Human Rights and Democracy

Background

Since its founding, Israel has been committed to protecting the liberty and rights of all of its citizens, and has served as a model society in terms of tolerance toward minority communities. All citizens of Israel – regardless of race, religion or gender – enjoy equal rights and protections under the law. Israel’s 1948 declaration of independence guarantees all citizens freedom of speech, assembly, expression, religion, language, education, culture, and access to holy sites. Of the 55 countries labeled as “free” by Freedom House in its 2010 Freedom of the World Survey, the only Middle Eastern country that made the cut was Israel.

Key points

• Freedom of religion is central to Israeli law and practice. Some 1.7 million people (around 24 percent) of Israel’s population are not Jewish. All Israeli citizens of all religions can openly follow their own faith, observe holidays and weekly days of rest, and administer to their own community religious affairs.
• Israel is a modern, representative democracy. All Israeli citizens have the right to vote in fair and open elections, and political parties in the 120-member Knesset are elected by popular vote. The representation of women and minorities in government is unrestricted and has been included in prominent positions such as prime minister and Supreme Court justice. In 2011 for example, there were 14 Arab Knesset members. Israeli law also mandates universal health care, affirmative action, and non-discriminatory employment.
• Women in Israel are equal to men both legally and in practice. Israeli women enjoy freedom of speech and expression, personal choice in education, employment, dress, dating, traveling, and participation in government and public life. Tzipi Livni serves as the leader of the Kadima Party, and Dorit Benisch is the President of the Israeli Supreme Court.
• The Israeli judicial system protects human rights and civil liberties. This applies to all Israeli citizens as well as Palestinians, regardless of race, religion, or gender. Noted internationally for its independence, the Israeli courts allow anyone living in Israel or the territories to appeal directly to the Supreme Court if they believe their rights are being violated. Since 2004, Salim Joubran has served as the first Arab Supreme Court Justice in Israel.
• Freedom of the press is deeply respected in Israel. In Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, French, and English, Israeli journalists freely criticize government leaders and policies without fear of repercussions. All Israeli newspapers are privately-owned and Israeli radio, television, and internet access is widespread.

more information

• ISSUE BRIEF: Israeli Human Rights and Democracy (PDF), 8/1/2011
• Support Democracy? Support Israel. (Materials)