Adv. Ariel Erlich
Until recently, the name of the Kohelet Policy Forum was not widely known, and was mostly recognized in the professional circles of the Forum’s diverse fields of practice, such as law and economics. From time to time, articles were published in various journals that sounded the alarm against a large and influential research body, funded by foreign donors, that succeeded – heaven forbid – in promoting policy proposals in various governing bodies. But in recent weeks, the tone of the negative publications intensified. The war against anyone not opposing the proposed judicial reform has become a Crusade. This week, the published “investigations” of Kohelet Policy Forum, which are nothing more than a tiresome mix of boring truths (MKs consult them!), embarrassing half-truths and evil fictions. So why is the media suddenly harassing a research institute with an agenda?
Well, welcome to the world of non-governmental associations and nonprofit organizations. In the not-too-distant past we got used to these organizations promoting ideas from one side of the political spectrum. In recent years there has been a change. Israel today enjoys a lively discourse, and many civil society organizations from various sectors are active.
Organizations that promote an agenda operate in two opposite spheres: they challenge the government by disclosing information to the public and the media, by pointing out deficiencies, by identifying omissions and illegal governmental activity, and also by appealing to audit and oversight bodies. On the other hand, they assist the government in developing ideas, producing knowledge and transforming ideas into policies. It is an open secret that officials, Knesset members and even ministers, are not experts in everything. In order to formulate bills or even to formulate a position, they must consult with others. Enriching the public world with research and ideas initiated by civil society organizations connected to specific fields, therefore benefits government-provided public service. Of course, the decision and responsibility for the idea rests only with those in authority.
The marketplace of ideas is also refined thanks to civil society organizations. Academia is finding it difficult to deliver the goods, and the attitude towards the proposed judicial reform demonstrates this well: as knights in an ancient order, legal experts stand up and swear allegiance to the existing order. Supporters of the reform are forced underground like the Jewish Marranos in Spain. Government funds are controlled by certain centers of power, which fail to produce ideological diversity. As in other things, the free market does it better.
A healthy democracy is one in which citizens are not afraid to work in organizations with an agenda, and do not reserve their opinions for the ballot box alone. But here it becomes clear that media figures in Israel like a free marketplace of ideas only on the condition that it includes correct opinions. Civil society organizations are only allowed on one side. In contrast, Kohelet Forum receives special treatment because it dares, in many areas, to take positions that are not always popular. It voices evidence-based economic positions which exceed the bounds of political correctness. Kohelet dared to challenge unelected centers of power in Israel, such as the labor union the Histadrut, the Israel Electric Corporation, the ports’ workers’ unions and the Attorney General. It revealed to the public how judges are appointed in democratic countries around the world (by elected officials), and how unusual the position of the Attorney General in Israel is in contrast to the general world practice.
And lo and behold, the Channel 12 “investigation” suddenly discovered that Kohelet Forum’s funding comes from abroad. And not just from abroad, but from capitalists, and not just from capitalists – from Jewish capitalists. What a scandal. It’s as though they have never heard of large organizations that for decades have been promoting a political agenda in Israel using funds from foreign donors, not to mention the funds of foreign governments, which is an entirely different story and completely unacceptable. Despite the sensational exposure, Kohelet Forum will continue to offer ideas, initiatives and reforms to senior officials, ministers and Knesset members, regardless of party, race, religion or political outlook. Everything is laid out and things will come and go. The Forum will also continue to operate in the public sphere and in political institutions, in the courts and in the media. It will continue to be a center of diverse research and ideology.
And, it will continue to work to strengthen Israeli democracy, to establish Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people, to strengthen individual rights, to promote a competitive economy and to adopt a wise fiscal policy.
