This time I will present in my blog the controversial decision to establish a Knesset committee of inquiry to investigate the operation of human rights organisations in Israel. The draft resolution was raised by MPs from the Likud party and Israel Beiteinu (Lieberman's party) and was approved by a majority of 43 to 11.

The resolution provoked numerous condemnations especially from MPs in the Israeli centre and left (and a few from Likud) as well as from Israel's leading journalists. Once again the main figure behind the resolution was foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman, but very telling was the reaction of prime-minister Netanyahu.

Netanyahu realized that Lieberman's party was going to present the resolution and immediately encouraged his party members to take initiative and raise the resolution as well.

Although human rights organisations in Israel tend to be unpopular among public opinion, many argue that the resolution is an Israeli version of 'McCarthyism' and question the motives of the initiators. After the rabbis’ petition against renting apartments to Arabs, and the demonstrations against foreign workers, many see this resolution as another threat to Israeli democracy. On the other hand it is important to emphasise that these acts were met with huge opposition in the Knesset, the press and in public opinion, so it could be argued that these are growing pains which the young Israeli democracy is dealing with successfully.

In an opinion article from Ha’aretz, Don Futterman discusses the issue of the resolution and its implications on Israeli democracy.