Parties in Israel: Between Law and Politics

The decline in the prestige and influence of Israeli political parties, particularly the larger parties, has become a source of distress for many in Israel. Similarly, in the United States, where the significance of parties is also recognized, many have shown concern for weakening of the dominant political parties. In the American system where politics are ruled by two strong national parties, many fear possible damage to smaller parties and independent candidates. But, in Israel, the nature of politics is becoming increasingly sectoral, personal, superficial and "populist." As is often characteristic of public discourse in Israel, many hold the legal system responsible for this phenomenon. The Essay examines this contention by comparing Israeli and American law. On a more general level, it considers the complex relationships between the law of a given country and the style and quality of its politics. The Essay suggests that the impression that the judicial and legal bounds placed on the parties may substantively narrow their political activities and operations is baseless. It is possible that this mistaken notion has contributed to the weakening of Israel's larger political parties. For those who appreciate the importance of political parties and for those who entertain fears that political parties will diminish in influence, it is especially important that the above misperception be corrected.