Israel’s second great political challenge is to maintain our democratic and liberal freedoms. These were the trademarks of Israel at its birth, but came under threat from illiberal legislative proposals in the last Knesset. With the Likud having shifted further to the right in its recent primaries, and following the rise of Naftali Bennett’s Jewish Home party, some fear more discriminatory bills may be proposed. However, Tzipi Livni, the new Justice Minister, will also serve as the chair of the ministerial committee for legislation and is committed to the protection of democratic and liberal values. The left will need to play an active role in defending Israel’s democracy, and in responding to any attacks on the Supreme Court, minorities, refugees, and foreign workers. In this regard, the strengthened position of Meretz and Labour, who both won back seats lost in the previous Knesset to Kadima, is significant. http://www.fathomjournal.org/policy-politics/can-the-new-knesset-fix-the-old-problems/