Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 02/2015

'Jewish and Democratic': Implications of Israel's Self-Description, at Home and Abroad

Ruth Gavison, Stuart Eizenstat

November 2014

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Abstract

What does it mean for Israel to identify as "both Jewish and democratic?" Watch a discussion with Ruth Gavison and Stuart Eizenstat on the hotly debated political, legal, and diplomatic consequences of Israel's core self-definition. On October 31, 2014, Ruth Gavison and Stuart Eizenstat addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute. Gavison is the Haim H. Cohn Professor of Human Rights Law at Hebrew University. Eizenstat co-chairs the board of directors for the Jewish People Policy Institute and has held senior positions in the White House and the Treasury, State, and Commerce Departments. The following is a rapporteur's summary of their remarks.