We the People: Identity

Israel defines itself as a Jewish and democratic state, but today Israeli society lacks consensus that both are integral to Israel’s core identity. This session focuses on how the groups that make up the coalition on the one hand, and the voices from the protest movement on the other, are using and engaging with Judaism and democracy. Masua Sagiv will address the occupation, the nation-state law and the current government’s justification of its actions as protecting Judaism in Israel, as well as the partial reclaiming of Judaism by the protest movement.

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We the People: Israel’s Constitutional Moment
While lacking a formal constitution, Israel relies on Basic Laws that both function as a living constitution and are designed to form an accepted constitution in the future. Foundational to every constitution are three pillars: national identity, human rights, and a balanced distribution of power among governmental branches. In this 3-part series, Israeli legal scholar Masua Sagiv integrates legal, social, and cultural sources to illuminate these three aspects within Israel and the explosive debates underlying this moment in Israel. She will address the dynamics of majority-minority relationships, the ongoing discourse around liberal Zionism, and the significance of Israel as a Jewish democratic state. Finally, she will consider whether there is a narrative that can guide the future constitution and national trajectory of Israel.

Other sessions in this series:

• We the People: Human Rights
• We the People: Balance of Power

This program is part of Ideas for Today, curated courses by Hartman Institute scholars on the big Jewish ideas we need to think better and do better.