Three Existential Crises Facing the State of Occupation

Across political, ideological, and partisan divides, Israelis agree that their state is grappling with a deep internal crisis. The far-right government’s sweeping attack on the political system—targeting judges, legal advisors, the media, and academics—has plunged the occupation state into a dangerous state of instability.

According to various Hebrew reports, “such attacks remind Jews of the dark chapters of European history, where they themselves were often the targets of similar actions.”

A Nation Struggling with Itself

Menachem Berg, an expert in risk analysis and a professor at Haifa University, commented, “When Jews established their state, it became evident that the societal ailments they attributed to others also existed among them, leading to the current reality of depression and despair.”

In an article published by Zman Israel and translated by Arabi21, Berg explained that “the only viable alternative to prevent total collapse is for Israelis to continue their persistent struggle against the far-right government’s actions.” However, he noted that this struggle had paused due to the outbreak of the war in Gaza.

Berg added, “The perpetual fear of existential threats from external enemies has always haunted Israelis. What they didn’t anticipate was a severe crisis arising from within.”

First Threat: The Occupation of Palestinian Territories

Berg identified the first major existential crisis as Israel’s entanglement in the occupied Palestinian territories. He emphasized, “Israel remains stuck in these territories, unable to retreat to the Green Line. The fierce resistance witnessed in Gaza underscores the dangers of withdrawing from the West Bank.”

While such a withdrawal could improve Israel’s relations with Arab states and stabilize its strained global reputation—since the international community views its actions in the Palestinian territories negatively—Berg argued that Israel’s fear of losing control prevents any such move.

He noted, “The only viable alternative to this entanglement is a strengthened Palestinian Authority. This could coincide with Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency, potentially reviving the ‘Deal of the Century’ and normalization agreements, which might alleviate Israel’s internal crises.”

Berg also suggested that Israel’s dominant liberal faction, which prioritizes resolving the Palestinian issue, may grow increasingly critical of the hardline stance of the far-right, paving the way for a potential rapprochement with moderate Palestinians.

Second Threat: Internal Political Instability

The second existential threat, according to Berg, is Israel’s internal political crisis. The vulnerability of its political system has been exposed by the far-right’s systematic attacks, aimed at weakening state institutions.

He stated, “The far-right’s legal coup has awakened Israelis to the severity of the internal crisis. Addressing this requires substantial efforts to close the gaps that allowed the current government to execute such drastic measures.”

The ongoing internal struggles have divided Israeli society sharply, with protests erupting across the country. The growing distrust in state institutions has further compounded the crisis.

Third Threat: Ultra-Orthodox Influence and Demographic Growth

Berg highlighted the third existential crisis as stemming from the behavior of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. He referred to their “persistent deviance” in their relationship with the state, particularly through their alliances with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

Key issues include the exemption of ultra-Orthodox men from military service, state funding for religious curricula, and substantial financial support from state coffers to cater to their insular needs.

“This behavior undermines the judiciary’s authority,” Berg noted. “They seek complete freedom to negotiate their own deals, and their growing demographic presence only amplifies the crisis.”

He warned that the unchecked influence and population growth of the ultra-Orthodox community are driving Israel toward a profound crisis, with their demands increasingly clashing with the broader Israeli society.