Professor Gur Alroey, the rector of the University of Haifa, made a poignant statement to the New York Times, expressing his disillusionment with the current state of Israeli society amid the ongoing judicial reform. According to Professor Alroey, the support for Netanyahu by certain segments, including the messianic and ultra-orthodox groups, has created divisions that have eroded the sense of solidarity that once united Israelis.
In his interview, Professor Alroey lamented the loss of a shared narrative that used to bind most Israelis together in their understanding of what it meant to live in this small but complex region of the Middle East. He believes that the recent law to abolish the "Reasonableness Clause" has exposed irreconcilable differences between the government and the opposition regarding their visions of Israeli democracy, further fragmenting the social fabric.
Israel's looming security threat, reservists warn to quit service.
ā WION (@WIONews) July 30, 2023
Watch!https://t.co/J1Cdlfle8u
Professor Alroey is not only the rector of the University of Haifa but also a historian of Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel and a Major in the Israel Defense Forces Reserves until recently. As part of his reserve service in the Unit for Locating Missing Persons, he played a crucial role in locating the burial sites of six missing persons from the Israeli War of Independence. However, the passing of the law to abolish the "Reasonableness Clause" has led him to terminate his volunteer service, as he believes it signifies a breach in the social contract between citizens and the state.
For Professor Alroey, the Unit for Locating Missing Persons was a symbol of unity and shared destiny among the people of Israel. The unit's relentless efforts to find the missing, even decades after their death, underscored the commitment of citizens to each other and the state. However, the unilateral legislation by the Israeli government, undermining democratic principles, has shattered this sense of unity and shared purpose.
Proud to be a member of the @UofHaifa and to hear our rector, Professor Gur Alroey, speaking today. Democracy is the basis of creative, free and important academic research. We will continue protesting for our future and for the future of our children! pic.twitter.com/OGx5TM1dud
ā HADAS OKON SINGER (@OkonSinger) April 29, 2023
Notably, on the same day of Professor Alroey's announcement, volunteer soldiers from elite units also skipped their reserve training in protest against the cancellation of the "Reasonableness Clause." Many of them informed their unit commanders that they would no longer volunteer for reserve duty. As of last week, the number of military reservists who have ceased their service since March has exceeded 1,250.
Professor Alroey's statements and the actions of reservist soldiers highlight the deep concerns and divisions present in Israeli society over the ongoing judicial reform. The situation reflects a pivotal moment in the country's democratic journey, prompting individuals to question their role and commitment to a government that appears to be challenging the foundations of democratic governance.
