Israel Democracy Institute

Research center dedicated to strengthening Israeli democracy

Israel Democracy Instituteהמכון הישראלי לדמוקרטיה

Formation| 1991; 34 years ago (1991)
Founder| Arye Carmon
Legal status| nonprofit organization
Headquarters| Jerusalem, Israel

President

| Yohanan Plesner[1]
Website| en.idi.org.il

The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI; Hebrew: המכון הישראלי לדמוקרטיה), established in 1991, is an independent research center that defines itself as being dedicated to strengthening the foundations of Israeli democracy. It is based in Jerusalem.

## History

[edit]

Round table discussion, Israel Democracy Institute

The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) was founded in 1991 as a "center of research and action dedicated to strengthening the foundations of Israeli democracy." Haaretz described IDI as a "pro-democracy think tank," while the IDI has traditionally coined itself as a "do tank". The IDI is generally portrayed as the leftist counterweight to the Kohelet Policy Forum.[2]

The IDI receives funding from Bernard Marcus.[3]

IDI's offices are located in Jerusalem.[2]

## Activities

[edit]

In November 2022, the IDI began a public campaign about the Israeli judicial reform. Karnit Flug, the institute's vice president of research, was one of the first authoritative voices warning about the reform's potential impact on the Israeli economy.[2]

It aims to bolster the values and institutions of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.[clarification needed][4][5] The non-partisan think tank was awarded the Israel Prize for by the State of Israel.[6]

In 2014, Yohanan Plesner was appointed president. In 2018, their vice president of research Yuval Shany was chosen to head the United Nations Human Rights Committee.[7]

Until 2015, the IDI published HaAyin HaShevi'it (The Seventh Eye).[3]

## Award and ranking

[edit]

In 2009, IDI was awarded the Israel Prize for its "lifetime achievement and special contribution to society and the State of Israel.[8][9]

In the University of Pennsylvania's 2014 Global Go To Think Tanks Report, it was ranked the 23rd best think tank in the Middle East and North Africa.[10]

## See also

[edit]

* List of Israel Prize recipients

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Goldman, Paul; Jabari, Lawahez; Bruton, F. Brinley (20 July 2018). "Israel 'nation-state' law prompts criticism around the world, including from U.S. Jewish groups". NBC News. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
2. ^ a b c Sommer, Allison (2023-04-09). "The Think Tank on the Front Lines of the Battle for Israel's Democracy". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 2023-04-09. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
3. ^ a b Avriel, Eytan (2015-04-28). "How Israel profits from the nonprofits". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 2015-04-28. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
4. ^ Kershner, Isabel (23 November 2014). "Israeli Cabinet Approves Nationality Bill". The New York Times.
5. ^ Kershner, Isabel (8 February 2007). "Arab Israelis call for a 'consensual democracy' - Africa & Middle East - International Herald Tribune". The New York Times.
6. ^ "נימוקי השופטים". cms.education.gov.il. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
7. ^ "Israeli law professor will head UN Human Rights Committee". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
8. ^ "Israel Prize Official Site (in Hebrew) - Recipient's Background".
9. ^ "Israel Prize Official Site (in Hebrew) - Judges' Rationale for Grant to Recipient".
10. ^ "The 2014 Global Go To Think Tank Index". University of Pennsylvania. 2015-02-04. Retrieved 2015-02-14.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Election and democracy support/reform organizations

Internationally focused NGOs|

* The Carter Center
* Centre for Democracy and Development (Africa)
* Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening
* Electoral Institute for the Sustainability of Democracy in Africa
* International Foundation for Electoral Systems
* Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy
* World Movement for Democracy
* European Partnership for Democracy
* Demo Finland

Intergovernmental organizations|

* Association of Central and Eastern European Election Officials
* International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
* European Endowment for Democracy
* United Nations Development Programme
* Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Governmental/
government-funded organizations|

* Westminster Foundation for Democracy
* International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (defunct)
* International Republican Institute
* National Democratic Institute
* National Endowment for Democracy
* Taiwan Foundation for Democracy

Country focused NGOs|

* Bersih (Malaysia)
* Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development (Georgia)
* Europe-Georgia Institute (Georgia)
* Citizens' Group on Electoral Process (Pakistan)
* Coalition for Free and Open Elections (US)
* Shayfeencom (Egypt)
* Democracy Watch (Canada)
* Electoral Reform Society (UK)
* Institute for Election Systems Development (Russia)
* Fair Vote Canada (Canada)
* FairVote (US)
* Israel Democracy Institute
* National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Philippines)
* Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (Philippines)
* Unlock Democracy (UK)

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Israel

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template