CEPAC...CITIZENS' EMPOWERMENT PUBLIC ACTION CAMPAIGN
If ever there was a need and a demand for mass public involvement in our political process the time is NOW! The country faces crucial decisions today vital to our existence as a viable, democratic and secure country. The people must have a voice in their future!
During the 60 years of its existence, Israel has had a total of 32 governments with an average lifespan of less than two years. Because of coalition politics, governments have repeatedly been unable to plan and implement long-range goals. As a result, citizens are increasingly alienated from their government and its institutions, which is particularly distressing coming from our youth.
The Knesset has been an ever-changing entity, which has been responsive not to the will of the people but only to the political party bosses or their sponsors. The cabinet is like a revolving door exchanging positions at political or personal whims. One example is that there have been 10 finance ministers in the past 10 years.
The need for radical reform of our government has become even more urgent by the appalling fact that on the eve of the past election almost 25% of the electorate was undecided voters. This coupled with the fact that the election turnout was the lowest in history means certainly that the public at worst rejects the present electoral system of government, at best is apathetic towards it. The critical challenge before us is the defeatist attitude of “kacha ze be”aretz” (That’s the way it is in Israel). CEPAC'S objective is to answer this challenge by mobilizing public demand for a more representative, responsible knesset accountable to the people rather then to the political establishment.
Public disillusion with the Knesset is highlighted by a survey commissioned by CEPAC by the DAHAF INSTITUTE conducted by Dr. Mina Tsemach. The survey which was carried out on a representative sample of the adult Israeli population, indicates that:
- 64% of the population does not feel that their interests are currently represented in the Knesset.
- 53% think that the Knesset members act mainly to promote their own interests.
- 64% are in favor of some kind of change to a constituency based electoral system, of whom 41% want all Knesset members elected by the constituence system and 23% want some of the Knesset members elected by the existing system and some elected by the constituence system.
- 77% noted that if it is decided that all or some of the Knesset members be elected by the constituency system, they would prefer to see among the candidates also independent candidates, residents of the area, who are unconnected to political parties.
The goal, indeed the mission of CEPAC (Citizens’ Empowerment Public Action Committee) is to answer the call for a more representataive government.
CEPAC proposes to help accomplish this goal by means of a mass petition campaign demanding essential government reforms, especially the reform of the Knesset electoral system through direct regional elections.
CEPAC is an all-volunteer non-political grass roots organization dedicated to giving the government back to the people. We seek to mobilize public demand for a Knesset accountable to the public rather than, as now, to a political hierachy. We feel that by raising the quality of Knesset membership, new potential leadership will be encouraged to enter government service.
We believe that regional elections will foster capable, responsible and responsive government. Besides giving the people direct Knesset representation, this should reduce the number of political parties minimizing those with special interests that weaken and inhibit major legislative programs of benefit to the general welfare. Small parties, through coalition deal-making, exert a disproportionate influence in executive decision making.
CEPAC, while an independent group, is affiliated with CECI (Citizens Empowerment Center in Israel) and cooperates with the Israel Association of Political Science and Israelis for Constitutional Democracy in addition to a growing list of national organizations dealing with social and economic issues.
First and foremost, we have called for instituting single member districts for the election of Knesset members. We propose that the country be divided geographically and by population into 60 electoral districts, each electing a single member. The remainder 60 members would be elected nationally with the entire country consituting a single district. Ideally we would like all 120 M.K.'s elected by district (perhaps a future goal) but realistically we feel that the 60-60 split has the best chance of being adopted.
A Knesset elected by a constituency representing specific geographic areas would reflect regional interests. For example, the problems of the Negev are different than those of Tel Aviv. It should be noted however, that in addition to area interests, members of the Knesset must understand that we are a population of diverse character and that there are national concerns and issues which affect us all.
For added remarks on the Knesset see "Knesset" in "articles" excerpted from CEPAC Chairman Elaine Levitt's book, "Israel-A dream willed...to be fulfilled. " This book is available upon request, without charge.
While Knesset electoral reform is CEPAC's primary objective, we advocate additional government reforms. These have been arrived at after extensive meetings and at the request of our volunteers, those M.K.s and public officials (there are some) and others who support us.
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Under the principle of separation of powers, would-be ministers who are M.K.s must relinguish their Knesset seat.
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Limiting the number of terms an M.K. may serve. Suggestion is that they should serve no more than three to four years each, maximum 12 years. Being an M.K. should be a public service , not a career.
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Limiting M.K. committee membership to two. Repeated plenary and committee absence should be publicized and a cause for disciplinary action which may indicate to the voters that they should perhaps seek a more serious candidate the next time around.
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We advocate that for national elections, the candidates will have been selected democratically by open primaries.
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In the regional elections, candidates may be endorsed by party but they run as individuals. Their accountability will be to their constituents whom they must face to be re-elected.
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The population composition of the districts will be decided by independent demographic experts.
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M.K.s and their staff should be accessible to the public. Any additional costs for this "service" should be covered by hopefully eliminating excessive ministries.
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Fewer ministries. With minimal coalition politics, this should be possible and would reduce the cost of government, avoid duplication and increase efficiency. (Israel has twice the number of ministries as the U.S.)
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Minimizing political appointments and raising the qualification standards for public service, with a rigorous professional screening process.
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Enactment of a constitution to delineate relationships within the government and the government's relationship with the people.
We believe that a strong independent Knesset will bring to the Knesset a new, cleaner, more respectable image, and hopefully be more attractive to fresh potential leadership who are turned off by the political quagmire that prevails today. Such a Knesset would act as a needed counter-balance to an executive politically driven and lacking in accountability.
There are many responsible politicians and public figures who favor our program. They assure us that our campaign will strengthen their resolve to support electoral reform. We need to help them to help us.
Our public petition campaign is now underway, with the help of many organizations and numerous dedicated volunteers. Many more volunteers are needed to collect the huge number of signatures required to achieve our goals. With a combined effort, we can help secure a radical change in Israel’s political system.
Our petition campaign is proving that people care and that we must do whatever we can to assure that those in the Knesset will listen.
***SEE OUR SECTION ON PETITION.
We demand a government that follows the basic principles of a true democracy - a government of the people by the people and for the people! Why must Israel be one of only two democracies in the world not to have regional legislative representation.
Note! "Evil triumphs when good people do nothing!" ( Edmund Burke -18th century British political philospher)
THE 17TH KNESSET IS THE POLITICAL PARTIES’ CHOICE….
…LET'S MAKE THE 18TH KNESSET THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE! | 
