Israel's Political Crisis: A Bleak Future Ahead

Former U.S. ambassador to Israel, Martin Indyk, expresses deep concern over the passing of a law eliminating the reasonableness standard in Israel's judicial system, calling it a dark day in the country's history. Indyk criticizes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for giving power to far-right parties and losing control over decision-making. He compares the current situation to the internal rifts during the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, but emphasizes that this battle is over democracy rather than peace with the Palestinians. Indyk supports President Joe Biden's strong stance against the judicial overhaul, stating that if Israel becomes an illiberal democracy, it will negatively impact the U.S.-Israel relationship. As a longtime Zionist, Indyk is deeply worried about the division and the potential damage to Israel's democracy and deterrent capability.