Far-Right Unrest in Israel: A Growing Threat to State Institutions

On July 29, 2023, Israel witnessed an unprecedented event as far-right protesters stormed two army facilities. This incident, occurring just a day before anti-immigrant riots in Britain, highlighted the growing influence of extremist elements in Israeli politics and their potential to undermine state institutions.

The protests were sparked by the arrest of nine reserve-duty soldiers accused of abusing a Palestinian prisoner. Responding to social media calls, dozens of civilian activists converged on the Sde Teiman detention facility and later the Beit Lid base, briefly breaching its security.

What sets this incident apart is the open support from government officials. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the National Security Minister, and Bezalel Smotrich, the Finance Minister, publicly condemned the military's actions. Even more concerning, at least two Knesset members and a junior cabinet minister were among the protesters.

This government backing of far-right protesters draws parallels to the events of January 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C., where political figures supported attempts to undermine democratic institutions.

The Israeli far-right's rise to power is a recent phenomenon. In the 2022 election, they secured only 10.8% of the vote, significantly less than far-right parties in some European countries. However, they have leveraged Benjamin Netanyahu's political vulnerability and the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack to gain disproportionate influence.

"Nationalist crime has reared its head under the cover of war and has led to revenge and sowed calamity and fear in Palestinian residents who do not pose any threat."

The ideology driving these far-right elements combines traditional right-wing security policies with a deep distrust of government institutions. Many adherents are religiously observant and seek to transform Israel into a religious state, believing that conflict will bring about messianic redemption.

Since forming the government in late 2022, far-right leaders have worked to undermine state institutions from within. Key actions include:

• Attempting judicial reforms to subordinate the courts to political control
• Wresting control of the police force
• Advancing de facto annexation in the West Bank

The occupied West Bank has become a testing ground for far-right policies and violence. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that in the ten months following October 7, 2023, settlers were responsible for approximately 1,250 attacks against Palestinians, resulting in 120 deaths or injuries.

Netanyahu's role in this situation is complex. Facing political challenges, he engineered an alliance with far-right parties to secure power. Now, he appears unwilling or unable to rein in their excesses, potentially jeopardizing Israel's democratic foundations and international standing.

The military and security services have begun to push back against far-right infiltration. Ronen Bar, director of Shin Bet, warned ministers about the dangers of unchecked far-right violence. However, with the government backing these elements, the effectiveness of such warnings remains uncertain.

As Israel grapples with these internal challenges, the potential for further unrest and erosion of state institutions looms large. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the country can maintain its democratic character in the face of growing far-right influence.