Say Yes to a Thin Constitution

Opposition leaders have presented foundational principles for a future government, including equality in burden-sharing, a state commission of inquiry, term limits, and a constitution. The article argues that enacting a full constitution is impossible due to social divisions in Israel, and proposes an alternative of a "thin constitution" focusing solely on the relationships between branches of government.

Opposition party leaders have for the first time presented shared foundational principles for the government they intend to form, encompassing four issues: equality in burden-sharing, a state commission of inquiry, term limits for prime ministers, and a constitution. The article, by Prof. Yedidia Stern, president of the Jewish People Policy Institute, argues that while the first three issues can be addressed through swift legislation and enjoy relatively broad public consensus, enacting a full constitution is a highly complex endeavor. Stern explains that a full constitution addresses three overarching questions: the identity of the state, human rights, and the relationships between branches of government. Given the social polarization in Israel, broad agreement cannot be reached on the first two questions. The proposed solution is a "thin constitution" that focuses only on the third part—the relationships between branches—a move that can achieve broader consensus.