This past summer, I participated in a discussion at Harvard’s Kennedy School concerning declining democracies. Israel’s domestic unrest, the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and the hostage crisis are all linked to the struggle over our nation’s identity. The crucial question is whether we will remain a contemporary democracy or transform into a theocratic autocracy. This is what is currently at risk.

As I walked across the campus, I experienced a blend of despondency and resolve. The feeling of gloom arose from the realization that my nation might soon be grouped with the other autocratic states present—Venezuela, China, Russia, and Egypt. Scholars from these nations, along with the United States, were endeavoring to comprehend the difficulties associated with confronting either a dictatorial regime or a failing democracy.

Nevertheless, the sight of countless Israelis uniting to collectively resist this decline—even just last week—was inspiring, filling me with growing pride and a resolve to succeed.

It is widely understood that democracies are inherently delicate. Globally, we observe elected leaders utilizing democratic structures to implement gradual yet significant alterations. By undermining the checks and balances that uphold a democratic state, they incrementally acquire unchecked authority. Devotion to the leader, rather than to the nation, becomes the critical criterion for pivotal roles intended to be impartial and preserve the equilibrium of power. At that point, a reversal becomes impossible.

The organization Brothers and Sisters in Arms was formed in January 2023 after an unspecified entity announced its intention to pass legislation designed to irrevocably weaken nearly all of Israel’s democratic checks and balances. Among the roughly 200 proposed laws, one would allow the government to overturn any Supreme Court ruling with a simple majority, and another would permit the government to appoint unqualified individuals loyal to it to crucial positions without any oversight or justification.

For many years, we had placed fundamental trust in Israeli democracy, often taking its existence for granted. As a 50-year-old, residing in Tel Aviv with my family and having a thriving career in Israel’s renowned tech sector, it had never occurred to me to engage in civic life, much less co-found an organization. However, the prospect of any government wielding unchecked power deeply concerned me.

Gathering with friends, we realized that action was imperative before it became irreversible. We started a WhatsApp group, named ourselves , and arranged to walk from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on a journey for democracy. We were optimistic; none of us anticipated that this endeavor would persist for three years. I have consistently served and defended my nation, even at personal risk. This commitment propelled us into public demonstrations. Our affection for Israel is profound, and we recognize that its security hinges on our collective unity. Without democratic principles, equality, and freedom, individuals are less inclined to defend their country at great personal cost. Our guiding principle was that a true people’s army, united in purpose, can only flourish within a democracy.

For nine consecutive months, Brothers and Sisters in Arms organized and led hundreds of thousands of Israelis. We generated awareness across the nation. As police reactions grew more forceful, tensions heightened. Despite this, we pressed on, establishing a national network of advocates. We protested without fear, engaged extensively with the media, and intensified public pressure on coalition members, thereby succeeding in temporarily suspending the planned judicial overhaul.

Subsequently, October 7 arrived. At 6:29 a.m., alarms blared, awakening every Israeli. Hamas had violently breached our southern frontier, initiating the massacre of civilians.

Once more, Israelis demonstrated resilience. We unified, momentarily setting aside our internal disputes to confront the external aggression.

Conversely, our government was stunned and incapacitated. Ordinary Israelis readily volunteered to bridge the gap. At Brothers and Sisters in Arms, we swiftly transitioned (within minutes) into a civil-aid entity. We proceeded to engage thousands of volunteers to address various needs in nationwide logistical efforts. We provided rescue to individuals under attack and assisted displaced families with housing and provisions.

Remarkably, the brutal assault by Hamas and its repercussions failed to diminish the government’s pursuit of unchecked authority. Quite the opposite occurred. Two years into a persistent conflict, with our hostages yet to be repatriated, this administration remains entirely preoccupied with advancing its judicial takeover, consistently operating against the populace’s best interests.

It is declining to prioritize the —discarding solidarity and mutual responsibility, which might be our most significant strategic advantage. And despite the military being understaffed, the , whose religious political parties are . The government is creating separate societal sectors in a cynical and unethical manner. One segment puts their lives on the line defending the nation, while the other does not. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have once again taken to the streets, demanding a courageous leadership.

Furthermore, Netanyahu and his administration decline to accept any accountability for the events of October 7 or to establish a state commission of inquiry to investigate the circumstances leading up to it—despite multiple surveys indicating that 80 percent of Israelis deem such an investigation essential.

For Israel to persist as a dynamic, democratic Jewish state, aligning with the Zionist ideals of its founders and its declaration of independence—a secure homeland for Jews, a flourishing democracy rooted in equality and welcoming to all faiths and convictions—the Israeli populace must again rise and actively engage in the democratic process. This represents both the privilege and the duty of the citizenry (the *demos*) in the contemporary era.

Grappling with internal identity struggles while facing threats from external adversaries is not an experience exclusive to Israel. However, Israel’s perilous conditions underscore that the societal resilience needed to surmount these challenges necessitates the commitment and involvement of the majority of its citizens. In Israel, our collective unity, or “groupishness,” serves as our greatest strength. This embodies the Zionism that shaped my upbringing. It represents the Israel we aspire to restore. Academics at Harvard, along with many global observers, are closely monitoring Israel’s internal struggle for its own future. The result rests upon us. We constitute the democratic defense force.