Israel's Legal Coup is Back in Full Force: Orly & Josh

What does it mean to stand with Israel without looking away?In this episode of The Pluralist Podcast: From Both Sides of the Ocean, Orly Erez-Likhovski and Rabbi Josh Weinberg take on one of the hardest questions facing Jews today:How do we hold deep commitment to Israel while speaking honestly about the actions of its government?While much of the world has been focused on war, grief, and recovery after October 7, Israel’s Knesset has quietly returned to an agenda that threatens democratic guardrails — not loudly, not dramatically, but steadily.From inside Israel’s parliament and from the perspective of Reform Zionism in North America, this conversation explores:- The renewed push to weaken key democratic institutions, including the Attorney General- Legislative efforts targeting civil society, independent media, and academic freedom- How the judicial overhaul is advancing in quieter, more incremental ways- Why accountability for October 7 is a democratic necessity, not a political attack- What real resistance looks like today — in the courts, in Knesset committees, and in civil societyOrly draws on her work leading the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), offering an inside view of how democratic defense actually happens: through legal filings, position papers, and relentless presence behind the scenes.Josh gives voice to what many in the Diaspora are feeling — the pull between solidarity and alarm, loyalty and moral responsibility.This is not a conversation about abandoning Israel.It’s about protecting the democratic foundations that make Israel worth standing with.If these conversations matter to you, please subscribe.Subscriptions help this podcast grow and reach people who are trying to stay engaged — without denial or despair.