The struggle over legal reform has caused enormous damage to the State of Israel. On the political level, the image of American backing has been undermined (even if, in practice, the defense cooperation continues as usual). On the economic level, the country’s credit rating has eroded. The public discourse in Israel reached new heights of acerbity and alienation. Above all, national cohesion was cracked primarily due to the IDF being used as a tool in the political debate and the threats to dodge service.
It is incumbent upon Israel’s leaders from both sides of the political aisle to put aside their differences or quickly reach a compromise on judicial reform that will allow the country to focus on the existential security challenges that lie ahead.