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/// THE INSTITUTE FOR LIBERTY AND RESPONSIBILITY
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Prof. Amnon Cavari and Knesset Member & former Chief of Staff, Gadi Eisenkot at LIBRES annual conference
The Institute for Liberty and Responsibility continuously evaluates the state of Israeli democracy, warns of the threats it faces, and, since the outbreak of the war, has focused particularly on how the war affects democratic resilience.
The war that started with the tragic events of October 7th, 2023, presents a major challenge to Israeli democracy, which has been progressively weakened over the years. In the past year, the Institute for Liberty and Responsibility has examined the decline of democratic institutions in Israel, decreasing public trust in political leaders, and waning support for universal values like liberty, equality, and democratic commitment. Due to the systemic weaknesses within Israel’s democracy, the government functions with minimal institutional oversight. Amid escalating security threats and rising public anxiety, the commitment to democratic and liberal principles is faltering—particularly concerning free speech and minority rights.
On November 28th, 2024, on the eve of the historical date marking the UN vote on the partition plan that led to the recognition of the State of Israel, the Institute held its annual conference. This year’s event focused on the oversight of government in wartime and the obligation of the government to uphold liberal and democratic values, even during times of crisis. Participants examined how various actors—government institutions, Israeli society, the media, and the international community—can guide and oversee government actions to ensure the government operates responsibly within its authority while safeguarding democratic norms and human rights.
At the conference, Prof. Amnon Cavari, head of the Institute for Liberty and Responsibility, stressed that preserving Israel’s democratic character requires the government to act transparently and responsibly while upholding human rights, moral principles, and the laws of war. He emphasized the need for an independent police force, judiciary, and prosecution system, free from political pressure, as well as a critical and independent media. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of protecting freedom of speech and movement, ensuring public participation, and fostering civic engagement. Without these elements, the country would quickly backslide to a lesser democracy.
A key moment at the conference was the call for a state commission of inquiry into the October 7th massacre, made by several speakers, including MK and former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot. He criticized the government’s lack of a structured decision-making process, its failure to discuss alternative strategies, and its reluctance to hold votes or ensure the proper implementation of decisions. Speakers agreed that such an inquiry is essential—both to honor the civilians and soldiers who were killed and to identify failures, strengthen national security, prevent future disasters, and begin the process of healing in Israeli society.
As in previous years, the conference concluded with the presentation of the Institute for Liberty and Responsibility’s annual awards for outstanding academic work by students from across the university. This year’s winning projects focused on national identity, civilian evacuation during war, and civil protest.
Public Trust And Research Initiatives
The Institute conducts monthly surveys throughout the year to measure public trust in Israeli government institutions and opinions on key national issues. These surveys form the basis for a monthly public trust index and a series of studies on Israeli society. Notable research from this year includes:
• Prof. Amnon Cavari’s study warns of declining trust in the political system, weakening social cohesion, and rising public anxiety, all of which contribute to the growing public distrust in democracy and increasing support for non-democratic principles.
• Prof. Asif Efrat’s research indicates a significant rise in religiosity among Israelis since the war began; approximately one-third of Israelis report that their faith in God has strengthened since October 7th. Consequently, the war accelerates an ongoing trend of increasing religiosity, particularly among young Israelis
• Dr. Omer Yair’s study indicates a rise in national pride since the war’s outbreak. This growing pride reflects Israelis’ satisfaction with how the country has addressed the immense challenges of war
• An in-depth study of the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) community, led by Dr. Shachaf Zamir and Dr. Esti Reider-Indorsky, found that while Haredi individuals express feelings of belonging to and pride in Israel, their connection to state institutions remains weak. The study also highlighted the Haredi community’s opposition to military conscription, a key issue in today’s political debate over exemptions for yeshiva students from military service.
Democrateam Podcast And Antisemitism Research
This year, the Institute launched a new podcast, “DemocraTEAM,” that brings together leading scholars and public figures to discuss vital political issues, the challenges confronting Israeli democracy, and the latest findings in social science research
To mark the International Day Against Antisemitism, the podcast hosted Irina Nevzlin, Chairwoman of ANU–Museum of the Jewish People and author of The Power of Identity: The Strength to Know Who You Are. She spoke with Dr. Haim Weizmann, the Institute’s head of political affairs and podcast host, about Israel’s relationship with the Jewish diaspora, the global rise in antisemitism following October 7th, and the distinction between antisemitism and legitimate criticism of Israel.
The episode also presented findings from a public opinion survey on antisemitism and attitudes toward Israel among the American public, conducted in September 2024 by Professors Amnon Cavari and Mark Tessler of the University of Michigan. The results are concerning:
Approximately 25% of respondents believe that Jews exert excessive control over financial institutions in the US An even higher percentage thinks that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to their home country. A quarter of respondents indicated that Israel negatively influences democracy in the US.
Educational Initiatives For Democracy
The Institute is committed to educating children and youth on democratic and liberal values and has launched two key initiatives:
1. “Guardians of Liberty and Responsibility”: A civic education program in Herzliya developed in collaboration with Dr. Adi Koll, Dean of Student Affairs at Reichman University. The program aims to instill core democratic values in children and teenagers by teaching them essential civic skills, critical thinking, and active citizenship. Students from Reichman University, who possess strong social awareness and teaching experience, lead the initiative, which will expand to all schools in Herzliya next year with the support of the city mayor.
2. The Institute’s Honors Workshop, led by Prof. Amnon Cavari , is a selective program that brings together top students from across the university to engage with political processes and policymaking. The workshop combines theoretical studies, group projects, educational field trips, and meetings with political figures. This year, students have chosen to focus on political education and values-based discourse as part of Israel’s formal education system. Given the current war and the challenges facing Israeli democracy, this topic has taken on increased urgency. By addressing it, the students demonstrate their commitment to fostering a shared civic foundation based on liberal and democratic values in Israel.
