Universities Dialogue: From Nationalism to Shared Constitutional Identity

This presentation based on an article which examines Israel’s shifting constitutional identity amid rising Jewish ethnonationalism, populist challenges to democratic institutions, and the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 attacks. It asks how these forces reshape national belonging and civic solidarity, and whether an inclusive alternative is possible. Drawing on legal and political discourse, the analysis distinguishes national from constitutional identity, showing how they have been increasingly conflated. It explores societal fragmentation, Israel’s hybrid constitutional framework, and civil-military tensions, with special attention to Basic Law: Israel – the Nation-State of the Jewish People. Examining the 2023 judicial overhaul, the article argues that democratic resilience requires a shared civic identity. It proposes two practical pillars – national or military service and full parity between Hebrew and Arabic – to foster trust, mutual recognition, and inclusive citizenship.

Dr. Meital Pinto is a Senior Lecturer and Dean of the School of Law at Zefat Academic College. Her research focuses on constitutional and administrative law, legal theory, equality and discrimination, language rights, and constitutional identity. She has published widely on these topics in legal and interdisciplinary journals.