opinion
‘Law & Disorder: Israel’
Mitchell Bard
T he United States has adopted many Israeli
shows; perhaps it is time for Israel to pick
up one of America’s. It could be part of
Dick Wolf’s “Law & Order” franchise called “Law &
Disorder: Israel.”
Ironically, the government is trying to ram through
legislation to improve the legal system while
seemingly losing control of the country, with lawless-
ness growing in the West Bank and tumult inside
Israel. All that’s missing is Jeff Goldblum to explain
chaos theory.

The government makes the case that it is acting
democratically in seeking to reform the Supreme
Court. On the one hand, it is indeed democratic for
elected representatives to make laws as they see fit;
on the other, it is not the case that their proposals
have a mandate from the people. Netanyahu may
claim he was elected to make these changes, but
public opinion polls have shown that the people
disagree with his proposed overhaul. Furthermore,
he is in power because of the support of religious
parties whose constituents care more about avoid-
ing conscription, funding for yeshivas and keeping
secular studies out of the schools.

Some reform supporters refuse to acknowledge
that a single Israeli, legal scholar or world leader
has any valid objections to the proposed changes.

Perhaps Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s
greatest political success was as finance minister.

Now, he oversees the shekel’s loss in value while
economists inside and outside Israel, including his
economy minister, warn of the potential economic
damage if the judiciary loses its independence.

The demonization of critics as just a minority of
leftists funded by outsiders has lost credibility now
that Likud Knesset members Danny Danon, Yuli
Edelstein, Nir Barkat and Defense Minister Yoav
Gallant, together with National Unity Party MKs Chili
Tropper and former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot,
have expressed reservations about the reforms
and called for a pause in the legislative process to
engage in negotiations.

In the West Bank, the situation shows signs of
spiraling out of control. The violence, despite what
the media says, is not new. Not only does it predate
Netanyahu; its origins also preceded the establish-
ment of the state. Hardly a day goes by without a
terrorist attack. Fortunately, most are thwarted, so
they don’t make the news. Too many people use this
as an excuse for the misbehavior of Jewish residents.

On occasions such as the rampage (the word
“pogrom,” used by some, is inappropriate) by settlers
in Huwara, however, it seems the authorities are
failing in their mission. It typically takes a few hours
or days for Palestinian terrorists to be caught. It
should take no more to identify the Jewish lawbreak-
ers. A marauder allegedly killed a Palestinian. If
true, whoever was responsible should face charges.

Sadly, the show’s “order” part rarely applies to Jews
in the West Bank. There would be no “hilltop youth,”
illegal outposts or attacks on soldiers if settlers
were treated with the same severity as Palestinian
lawbreakers. Two men suspected of involvement in
“wiped out.” Now Ben-Gvir reportedly has the genius
idea of demolishing illegally built homes in eastern
Jerusalem during Ramadan.

Demonstrators may seek regime change, but that
is also part of democracy when pursued peacefully.

Netanyahu’s labeling them “anarchists” and compar-
ing demonstrators in Tel Aviv to the rioters in Huwara
is incendiary.

Let’s be clear. The disorder in the West Bank
is a result of the incitement against Jews by the
Palestinian Authority — from the indoctrination of
hatred in its youth to its rewards for martyrdom.

Mahmoud Abbas has lost his grip as Palestinians
have become contemptuous of his corrupt and
Let me suggest that Israelis of all political persuasions
keep chaos theory in mind: “When you deal with
very complicated situations, unexpected things
are going to happen.”
the Huwara incident were arrested, then released
by court order. In a rare use of a practice regularly
employed against Palestinians, Israeli Defense
Minister Gallant placed them in administrative deten-
tion over the objections of National Security Minister
Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Meanwhile, excessive measures are being used
against Israelis exercising their freedom of expres-
sion. Enforcing order applies to Israeli protesters
who block roads or engage in illegal activities.

However, some Israelis, including police officers,
have questioned the use of stun grenades at demon-
strations. “Stun guns are only used in extreme cases
of violence on the protesters’ part against the police
troops. There was no trace of this in today’s demon-
stration,” a senior officer told Haaretz.

One police officer is being investigated for throw-
ing a stun grenade into a crowd of demonstrators in
Tel Aviv. Ben Gvir’s response? “I give full backing to
the officer who dispersed rioting anarchists with a
stun grenade.”
The situation is likely to get worse and less equita-
ble with Bezalel Smotrich and Ben-Gvir in positions
of power. These two should never have been in the
government in the first place, and Smotrich should
have been fired after he said Huwara should be
autocratic regime. The fight for succession when he
dies will only bring greater turmoil and violence.

If all this is not enough, consider the chaos likely
to follow if Netanyahu is convicted of a crime. He
refused to give up the premiership after being
indicted. Will he do the same if he is convicted? His
supporters hope to pass legislation to preempt such
an outcome. How will this be received if adopted? A
bill has already been approved in its initial reading
to prevent the Supreme Court from suspending the
prime minister.

Even more disturbing is the battle royale that will
take place if the government passes judicial reforms
that the Supreme Court invalidates. Who will be
obeyed — the government or the court? What will
the military do? Already, there is a movement by a
still small number of reservists to refuse to report for
service. Since Goldblum isn’t available, let me suggest that
Israelis of all political persuasions keep chaos theory
in mind: “When you deal with very complicated situa-
tions, unexpected things are going to happen.” 1
Mitchell Bard is a foreign policy analyst and an
authority on U.S.-Israel relations who has written and
edited 22 books.

JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 15