Even after the photos and the violence at the offices of the Kohelet Policy Forum in Jerusalem, it is important to distinguish between those who made statements bordering on the criminal, perhaps downright criminal, and those who demonstrate legally and peacefully against the reform. There is nothing more encouraging in a democratic country than people getting together to promote things that are really important to them. On the other hand, it is very serious that the demonstrations against Kohelet were carried out when some of our staff members were in the offices, including the custodian who is a very elderly man, and a female researcher who was scared when the demonstrators called her to come out through the locked door early in the morning,. This is inappropriate. We are not elected officials. Do not protest against private individuals in their private space.

I went out on my own initiative to the people who were legally protesting outside. I talked to them. Those who wanted to listen did indeed listen, but by their side were people who were shouting harsh words. Such people can mostly be pitied: those who have substantive claims – use them. If shouting slogans is the best tool they have against Kohelet Forum – they are either unable to understand the issues or they don’t want to learn, which is a shame.

The Jerusalem District Police acted quickly and professionally, and knew how to distinguish between those who were protesting lawfully and those who chose to take justice into their own hands. Later, those demonstrators yet complain and justify their actions, waving a sort of immunity card against law enforcement, but it should not be like this.

The demonstrators returned and hurled baseless accusations at us, as if we were “promoting the exclusion of women” or “a vision of a messianic dictatorship” and more. There is not a single person who knows me or the Kohelet Forum who thinks that these are the things we promote. Our flag is inscribed with support of individual freedom, not exclusion or dictatorship.

I say to the protesters: you don’t want to live in a country where policy is decided on the street, using sandbags and barbed wire. Those who demonstrate by blocking roads  and violating the law, in order to “promote democracy” end up hurting their own goal and the country as a whole. Democracy means that the Knesset is freely elected, and is free to govern lawfully. If you think that the enactment of basic laws by a large majority of Knesset members is something that is illegal, if you yourself take steps that are outside the limits of the law – do not expect the law to protect you.

We at Kohelet Policy Forum have promoted efforts to reach an agreement from the very first moment. We believe that a policy that passes by consensus is simply more stable. Even if the coalition has the majority to approve anything it wants to pass, it is better, for tactical-practical reasons, to reach broad agreements, or at least some agreement, even with the opposition. On the other hand, we are not afraid of demonstrations in any way. We are open to any discourse. We do not think that we hold all wisdom and reason, but intimidation will not defeat us.

(First published in Hebrew on the N12 news site, 9.3.2023)