Israeli Writer Warns of Potential Civil War Amid Rising Political Tensions
Following escalating political tensions in Israel, an Israeli writer and historian has warned of alarming signs indicating the possibility of a civil war. He stated that the political and social atmosphere is evolving in a way that calls into question the legitimacy of governing institutions among a segment of the population.
According to regional media, several Israeli political and security circles believe the country is in a sensitive situation, with recent events reflecting a deepening internal crisis. These events include verbal attacks and insults by a group of extremists directed at several judges, as well as an incident where a right-wing activist stopped the vehicle of Aharon Barak, the former president of the Supreme Court.
Eran Shalev, an American historian and professor in the history department at the University of Haifa, wrote in an article for Yedioth Ahronoth that such intimidation tactics indicate that the language of threats and pressure against symbols of authority is becoming normalized. He argued that this trend is emerging amidst a backdrop of deep political division and widespread social polarization.
Shalev also pointed to the extensive social media coverage of these events, noting that some far-right activists have welcomed these actions, while leading figures in this movement have not condemned them. He described this situation as a sign that society is moving toward a deeper crisis.
According to the writer, civil wars rarely begin suddenly with armed conflict; rather, they arise when large segments of society no longer recognize official institutions and political opponents as legitimate. He emphasized that the continuation of this trend could have serious consequences for Israel’s stability.
