Photo source by : Spyware & Democratic Values

Is the absence of international laws an excuse for the violation of Israel the breach of democratic principles globally?

Israel plays a significant role in the expanding domain of Spyware; particularly as autocratic governments take the lead in buying surveillance tools. Israel’s Spyware Diplomacy represents an extension of its historical involvement in global conflicts. Presently, the area of cyber surveillance lacks comprehensive regulation and is like a lawless frontier, and international law in this domain is similarly deficient. In this environment, Israel is disregarding democratic principles on a global scale, prompting important questions about human rights, privacy, and democratic ideals. Spyware developed by various Israeli entities, both large and small, has raised substantial concerns regarding privacy and human rights worldwide. The wide surveillance capabilities of these technologies, coupled with their misuse by authoritarian governments and clients, underscore the threats they pose to democratic values in numerous nations.

Does Israel use the world as a place to practice and improve its capacity to undermine democratic values?

A joint investigation conducted by 17 news organizations has been released, examining over 50,000 phone numbers. The investigation alleges that Israel’s clients have targeted over 1,000 individuals in 50 different countries for potential surveillance since 2016. Among those targeted are 189 journalists, over 600 politicians and government officials, and several heads of state. Moreover, it has been reported that a minimum of 65 business leaders and 85 advocates for human rights have been specifically targeted.

The Citizen Lab and Amnesty International have found proof of Israel’s spyware being employed against pro-democracy activists in Thailand during the years 2020 and 2021.In Myanmar, the use of this spyware has sparked a debate about Israel’s export practices and their potential impact on human rights. After the military coup in Myanmar in 2021, United Nations reports indicate that thousands of individuals, including political opponents, have been killed by the military regime. These developments have raised significant concerns about human rights and privacy violations in Myanmar. In the context of the Russia-Ukraine War, Israel declined Ukraine’s request to purchase spyware due to concerns about upsetting Russia. Ukraine had been seeking access to this spyware since 2019, but Israel’s defense ministry was not authorized to sell it not authorized to sell it to Ukraine.

Israel’s foreign policy interests outweighed human rights concerns. The United States blacklisted a large Spyware business as part of a broader effort to respond to human rights violations internationally.Israel’s prioritization of its national interests in its diplomacy is evident. It might be seen as an excuse for a seller to prioritize their interests, but when there’s a buyer, there will naturally be sellers. However, it is essential to be mindful of democratic standards.

Upon these occurrences, it seems that Israel doesn’t place a strong emphasis on democratic principles and force indirectly promoting the use of violent means by powerless nations. Therefore, Israel is a practiced hand country that breaches democratic values globally. It could be an initiative to challenge the internal violations of its democratic values.

Photo source by : A group of Israelis protest to defence their democratic values.

As government terms become more consecutive, does this increase principles of democratic values being violated?

Israel has a long history of breaching democratic values on the global stage, and now these violations are occurring within its borders. It is time to focus on internal matters. Israel’s recent political sense  has been full of uncertainty and numerous elections. Since 2019, there have been four national continuous elections with no clear winner between Netanyahu and his rivals. These elections have disclosed deep divisions in the country. In the 2022 election, Netanyahu’s Likud party and its right-wing allies secured a significant majority, forming what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israel’s history. However, despite this win, they still faced challenges in forming a stable government due to the lack of a clear majority.

In a surprising turn of events, Netanyahu is set to return as Israel’s prime minister for a six-term. However, his comeback is shadowed by the looming corruption trail against him.The corruption investigations into Netanyahu’s conduct began in 2016. Netanyahu’s return as Israel’s prime minister comes with unresolved corruption charges that have been a long-standing shadow over his political career. The trial, combining three separate cases, has been delayed, and the outcome remains uncertain. As Netanyahu’s political journey continues, the future of the corruption case will undoubtedly be closely watched both in Israel and around the world. This adds more complexity to the debate about Israel’s legal system.

In recent months, Israel has faced a big political change led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu’s government wants to make changes that potentially limit freedoms and change political and legal system. Netanyahu’s government has initiated an unusual campaign, starting with a focus on Israel’s legal system. They argue that these institutions have become too politicized and need reform. To reduce the Supreme Court’s power and shift it toward the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, is one significant proposal. This would allow the Knesset, with its majority, to override Supreme Court decisions, fundamentally changing the legal system’s dynamic. Another notable change would involve politicians having more influence in selecting judges, raising concerns about potential political interference in the judiciary.

To grasp the seriousness of the issue, it is crucial to understand why Israel’s courts have so much influence. Unlike other countries with written constitutions, Israel relies on basic laws, making the courts vital for protecting rights and freedoms.Every Saturday for 37 weeks, up to 200,000 Israelis have protested to defend their democratic values and to protest proposed changes.Israelis fear that without a strong Supreme Court, the ultra-Orthodox faction in the government could lead Israel towards a theocracy where biblical laws take priority over democratic principles.

Netanyahu’s government is concerned about the courts having too much influence. Israeli courts make crucial decisions on various issues like settlements, LGBTQ rights, and Palestinian rights. If the courts lose power, it could affect their authority in international courts and potentially lead to war crimes cases against Israeli soldiers. Former President Reuven Rivlin’s recent speech to protesters marked a significant moment in the crisis. Also urged Netanyahu to reconsider his actions emphasizing the seriousness of the situation and the growing worry for the nation’s future. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid has called the government’s actions a “war of attrition” against its citizens.

What should we all do next?

The evolving landscape of cyber surveillance, Israel’s involvement, and the associated human rights and democratic concerns underscore the need for a broader international conversation on these issues. Like the issue of climate change, solving it doesn’t rest on a single entity; it requires collective actions to prevent it. Just as addressing climate change requires global attention and international agreements like the Paris Agreement for sustainability, tackling surveillance in the context of democracy also calls for beyond the borders and establishing worldwide regulations for spyware. If we fail to take the necessary actions, democracy might end up as a historical display in future museums. In the cases mentioned earlier, Israel’s role prompts us to consider whether it is transitioning from a history of global democratic breaches to a period of predicting internal violations of its democratic values. Initially, people commonly tend to ignore distant locations, reasoning that these events have no relevance to them, their nation, or their personal matters, and are not their concern. However, it’s important to remember that such situations can eventually impact everyone, everywhere. So, what should we all do next?