The Jerusalem Post - Israel News
  • CONFERENCES
  • ISRAEL NEWS
  • WORLD NEWS
  • MIDDLE EAST
  • BUSINESS & INNOVATION
  • DEFENSE & TECH
  • OPINION
  • JP STORE
LoginSubscribe
  • JPOST DIGITAL LIBRARY
  • HOME PAGE
  • THE JERUSALEM REPORT
  • DEFENSE & TECH
  • OPINION
  • BUSINESS & INNOVATION
  • JERUSALEM POST EN ESPANOL
  • REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
  • ALIYAH
  • JERUSALEM POST CONFERENCE
  • PREMIUM
  • JP STORE
  • Categories
  • ISRAEL NEWS
  • WORLD NEWS
  • MIDDLE EAST
  • ARAB ISRAELI CONFLICT
  • US POLITICS
  • DIASPORA
  • OPINION
  • PODCAST
  • JUDAISM
  • KABBALAH
  • CHRISTIAN WORLD
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • SCIENCE
  • LAW
  • ARCHAEOLOGY
  • OMG
  • ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE
  • FOOD & RECIPES
  • HISTORY
  • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • TERMS OF USE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • CONTACT US
  • CANCEL SUBSCRIPTION
  • CUSTOMER SERVICE
  • ABOUT US
Jerusalem Post/Opinion

How did Israel establish democracy? The answer is Jewish cultural tradition - opinion

Jews may not have had a state, but for centuries they had been practicing community politics in ways that closely resemble modern elective democracies.

 A vote takes by show of hands at the Knesset plenum in 1949.
A vote takes by show of hands at the Knesset plenum in 1949.
(photo credit: Meitar Collection/Pritzker Family National Photography Collection/National Library of Israel)
BySAMUEL J. HYDE
APRIL 11, 2025 20:31
Updated: APRIL 15, 2025 13:20
Read More

See more on

history|
Jerusalem Report|
Middle East|
democracy


Top Stories
A reported massacre of Druze civilians by Syrian army forces and allied militias in July 2025 prompted Druze from Israel to cross the border.
Israel’s minorities are joining the IDF in growing numbers
JERUSALEM REPORT
WATCH
'Dancing with the Stars' airs first Hanukkah-themed dance
Shoes with Star of David spark arrests in Lebanon
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz holds a joint press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, December 7, 2025

Netanyahu to Germany's Merz: Israel won't annex West Bank

Roman Gofman, military secretary to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walking at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, November 11, 2024

Netanyahu's Mossad pick fought Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7

Saudi, Qatari-backed Zim bid raises Israel security fears
ANALYSIS
Syria's Sharaa begins pushing back on Israeli demands
The Jerusalem Post - Israel News

Information

  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Terms Of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscriber Agreement
  • JPost Jobs
  • Cancel Subscription
  • Sitemap
  • פרסום בג'רוזלם פוסט
  • JP Store
  • Customer Service
  • Advertise with Us

The Jerusalem Post Group

  • World News
  • Iran News
  • MDA Heroes
  • The Jerusalem Report
  • Jerusalem Post Lite
  • Real Estate Listings
  • Precious Metals
  • Astrology
  • Consumerism
  • Ono Conversation Corner

Tools and services

  • JPost Premium
  • JPost Newsletter
  • Ivrit Talk
  • RSS feed
  • JPost.com Archive
  • Digital Library
  • לוח חגים ומועדים 2024
  • Lists of Jewish holidays
  • חדשות מעריב
  • זמני כניסת שבת

Sites Of Interest

  • Poalim Online
  • JNF-USA

Copyright ©2025 Jpost Inc. All rights reserved

•

Terms of Use

•

Privacy Policy