Israel and France recently experienced mass protests, but there are clear and significant differences in how these demonstrations unfolded. In Israel, protests against proposed judicial reforms have been generally peaceful and orderly, with little to no violence. Despite the intense emotions involved, there have been no serious injuries or destruction of property. However, this could change if extremists on both sides drift further apart and reject reasonable compromises offered by Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu and other centrists. Currently, the Israeli protests exemplify the rights enshrined in the First Amendment, allowing people to assemble and petition the government for change. On the other hand, protests in France, sparked by the police shooting of a young Arab man, quickly turned violent. Memorials were desecrated, buildings and cars were set on fire, and rioting ensued. Previous French protests over economic and social issues have also involved violence, similar to some American protests over racial issues and police killings. These differences in the level of violence can be attributed to various factors. One possible explanation is the underlying causes of the protests. The former protests in France and the United States were fueled by unjust killings of minority citizens, while the latter protests in Israel revolve around more abstract issues of justice. However, it is worth noting that Israelis also perceive their protests as addressing life-and-death matters, such as the role of courts in curbing military and police responses to terrorism and the obligation of citizens to serve in the military. Another factor to consider is the composition of the protesters themselves. In Israel, protesters come from diverse ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds. They include both secular, Ashkenazi residents of Tel Aviv who oppose Netanyahu and religious, Sephardi residents of Jerusalem who are more conservative. In contrast, French and American protesters generally belong to disaffected minority groups with grievances against the entire country and its institutions. They seek to destabilize and cause chaos, as seen in slogans like “Burn it all down!” In Israel, most protesters are Zionists who love their country and aim to prevent policies they believe would harm Israel. They have no intention of causing harm, but some have suggested actions that could impact the economy and military. Regardless of the reasons, violence in the French and American protests cannot be justified. It is evident that the democratic world is becoming increasingly divided along political, religious, and racial lines, leading to more protests. However, Israel serves as an example that peaceful protests can be a crucial aspect of democratic governance. The key is to ensure they remain nonviolent.
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