Israel's broken political system keeps resisting reform, despite decades of warnings - analysis

The Jerusalem Post analyzes Israel's political system, arguing it remains resistant to reform despite decades of warnings. Dr. Assaf Shapira of the Israel Democracy Institute cites structural weaknesses: lack of checks and balances, no midterm elections, no second legislative chamber, and no formal constitution. He notes the rise of tribal and personality-driven politics.

The Jerusalem Post publishes an analysis of Israel's political system, arguing that it remains resistant to reform despite decades of warnings from experts. The piece centers on an interview with Dr. Assaf Shapira, head of the Israel Democracy Institute's Political Reform Program, who identifies several structural weaknesses: the lack of checks and balances over the government, the absence of midterm elections, the lack of a second legislative chamber, and the absence of a formal constitution. Shapira notes that Israeli politics has become increasingly tribal and personality-driven, with party platforms declining in importance. He contrasts Israel's lack of ministerial accountability with the resignation of Spain's transport minister following a deadly train crash. The article frames the 2026 Knesset elections as evidence of the system's dysfunction, but offers no countervailing perspectives or specific reform proposals.