A Constituent Assembly for Israel:
From Crisis to Opportunity
75 years after the establishment of the State of Israel, we Israelis are presented with an extraordinary opportunity: the political and social crisis that holds us in its grip clearly reflects our challenges and the depth of our disagreements. And while this clarity makes the view painful, it also holds enormous potential. In our 76th year, this is an opportunity to take an unflinching look at the reality of our lives and then work towards broad agreements that will provide us with a solid foundation for a beneficent coexistence in our land.
We propose a process aimed at reinvigorating Israeli democracy, one that could strengthen our political system, unite Israeli society, and renew confidence in our institutions. It would involve convening a Constituent Assembly, an elected body entrusted with a sole mission: to formulate, by broad consensus, the foundational principles and rules for Israeli democracy, and to lay groundwork for managing and resolving future disputes. Our proposal does not go into the specific content of potential agreements, but rather outlines the mechanisms and procedures that would allow the Constituent Assembly to achieve such agreements.
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The proposed Constituent Assembly will consist of 100 members, representing all of Israel's citizens. One third of the Assembly's members will be elected by the Knesset, and the remaining two thirds will be elected by the public in a special general election.
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The Constituent Assembly will formulate the foundational principles and rules for Israeli democracy, following a process of joint study and extensive discussion in an effort to reach broad consensus among all factions. This approach would ensure that every constituent faction is involved in the decision making process, and prevent any one faction from gaining a narrow victory. The agreements reached within the Assembly will be confirmed by significant majorities, requiring the approval of no less than two-thirds of its members.
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The Constituent Assembly will have the authority to address the electoral system and the relations between branches of government, as well as the rights and obligations of citizens, and balances in the relationships between individuals, communities, and the government. The Constituent Assembly will not involve itself, however, in the day-to-day operations of the Knesset and government, including budget allocation, appointments, or legislation.
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The products of the Constituent Assembly's deliberations will be presented to the Israeli public: first, in order to gather input from the Knesset and the general public; and then to be voted on by general referendum and to be ratified by the Knesset.
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We propose that the Knesset convene a committee whose members will represent every parliamentary faction. The committee will consult with experts and members of the public in order to create a framework for the establishment of the Constituent Assembly.
We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please write to asefam.org@gmail.com