Theodore Herzl, the founder of Zionism, articulated four pillars of Zionism. One was the establishment of a healthy, vibrant democracy. That democracy is being challenged today by an extremism that permeates all aspects of Israeli society.

Why is that so? Because Israel’s democracy is predicated on a parliamentary system of party-based coalition governments, allowing small parties to gain disproportionate power over legislative and governmental decisions.

This has been the case with Haredi parties which have, since the 1970’s, used their position as the “swing vote” in elections to pass legislation that limits basic civil rights and attacks the fundamental principles of a democratic society.

Recent surveys indicate a growing majority of Israelis support profound changes regarding the long–accepted official Orthodox monopoly on religious practice and other threats to a free-choice, equality-based democratic society. Major demonstrations regarding the use and nature of public spaces in Jerusalem, against separation lines, against discriminatory conscription laws and supporting the role of women in the public sphere, have brought together a broad cross section of Zionist society.