THE IDDF PODCAST WITH CHUCK FREILICH & DANNY AYALON: Israel’s new government makes changes to the judicial and democratic processes and China’s rising influence in the Middle East

The IDDF Podcast with Chuck Freilich and Benjamin Anthony

Episode 18 of the Israel Defense and Diplomacy Forum (IDDF) – with Prof. Chuck Freilich, former Israeli Deputy National Security Advisor, and Danny Ayalon, former Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador to Washington.

In this episode of the IDDF Podcast, Chuck and Danny discuss two very different issues; the dramatic changes that Israel’s new government has already begun making to its judicial and democratic processes and China’s rising influence in the Middle East, following the recent visit of President Xi to Saudi Arabia.

The new government is moving rapidly to pass legislation that will dramatically alter the role of Israel’s judiciary and the balance of powers. If, as appears likely, the legislation goes through, Chuck believes that Israel will have become an illiberal democracy, akin to Turkey and Hungary, within a matter of weeks.
In effect, Israel will have only one branch of government, the executive, which will control both the legislative and judicial branches and in which those under indictment, including the premier, appoint their own judges.
Danny agrees regarding the primary reform, the so-called “override law”, but sees merit to at least some of the other changes. He is particularly concerned by the proposed reforms’ impact on Israel’s international standing, including the danger of Israel being referred to the International Court of Justice. Both are deeply concerned by the politicization of Israel’s civil service and breakup of ministries for purely political purposes.
China is rapidly becoming a major player in the Middle East, no longer just in terms of oil imports, but regional security affairs, as well. Xi’s visit to Saudi Arabia was designed at least partly as a counterbalance to China’s ties with Iran. Chuck emphasizes that one of the reasons for the Gulf countries’ interest in expanded ties with China is their decreasing confidence in the US security commitment to them and the understanding that Israel, especially under the new government, cannot constitute even a substitute for the US. Danny starts a discussion of the impact of US-Chinese ties on US ties with Israel, including the Phalcon case, one of the worst crises in US-Israeli relations.

Join us as they agree and disagree, in detail and in-depth, always respectfully, on the critical issues Israel faces.

The MirYam Institute. Israel's Future in Israel's Hands.
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The MirYam Institute. Israel's Future in Israel's Hands.
Follow Chuck:
https://www.ChuckFreilich.com
Follow The MirYam Institute Twitter: https://bit.ly/3jkeUyx
Follow Benjamin Anthony Twitter: https://bit.ly/3hZeOe9
Like Benjamin Anthony Facebook: https://bit.ly/333Ct93
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