Oct 9, 2023 · WASHINGTON—Following Hamas’s coordinated October 7 attack on Israel, Freedom House president Michael J. Israel. Freedom in the World assigns a freedom score and status to 210 countries and territories. Freedom House survey of 210 countries and territories gives Israel 77 out of 100 points; says ‘democratic Mar 9, 2023 · The largest one-year decline in the region took place in Iran, which is rated Not Free and lost 2 points on Freedom in the World’s 100-point scale, for a new aggregate score of 12. English; 简体中文; 繁體中文; Українська; Tiếng việt; русский Mar 19, 2023 · Israel is Still a Free Country – But Now With a Warning Sign. Join the Freedom House weekly newsletter. Israel is categorized Free in Freedom in the World 2024. Between ongoing resistance to the illegal invasion of Ukraine, historic levels of violence in Israel and 3. CC: Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. 6 percent of the vote in a field of eight candidates. Mar 3, 2021 · The annual “Freedom in the World” report was released this week by the human rights watchdog organization Freedom House. See the Freedom in the World 2023 score and learn about democracy and freedom in South Africa. Despite a stated government commitment in 2014 to abolish the practice by 2041, parliamentarians approved a law that would permit girls under the age of 18 to marry under certain circumstances in 2017, reversing a previous legal ban on the practice. Incumbent president Aleksandar Vučić won reelection to a second term in April 2022 with 58. Nevertheless, King Mohammed VI and his palace maintain full dominance through a combination of substantial formal Bangladesh has one of the world’s highest rates of child marriage. With dozens of reporters dead in Gaza and others harassed and censored inside Israel, experts are deeply concerned about press freedom in “the Expanding Freedom and Democracy. The Honorable Joseph R. In May, after protests over the threatened eviction of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem prompted Hamas to fire rockets into Israel, Israeli forces launched a campaign of air strikes in the Gaza Strip. Findings from Freedom in the World 2023 show that Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) all saw improvements in political rights or civil liberties in 2022, and only Iran and the West Bank territory experienced overall declines. The regime relies on pervasive surveillance, the criminalization of dissent, appeals to sectarianism and ethnicity, and public Expanding Freedom and Democracy. Although the international community generally considers East Jerusalem to be part of the occupied West Bank, it may be mentioned in this report when specific conditions there directly affect or overlap with conditions in Israel proper. Freedom House helps citizens defend their rights against government abuses in several countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. That will change if the majority becomes all powerful. In its annual index, published on March 9, 2023, Freedom House gave Israel a score of 77 out of 100 and the designation “free. xecution in Iran. Israeli authorities were responsible for 297 media freedom violations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in 2019, according to MADA. Dec 8, 2023 · Israel’s wartime assault on the free press. by Mike Smeltzer on July 18, 2024. Many Venezuelan immigrants have reported facing discrimination and xenophobia, amid unfounded accusations that their arrival has caused a spike in crime and violence in the country. W. lup/Getty Images. Freedom House calculates its scores based on a complex methodology of political rights indicators and 15 civil liberties indicators – such as electoral process, political pluralism and South Africans—predominantly those from rural regions—as well as foreign migrants, are vulnerable to sex trafficking and forced labor. Global Freedom. Among other applications, the law was used in 2019 to expel Omar Shakir, the Israel and Palestine representative for Human Rights Watch (HRW), for his advocacy against Israeli settlements in the West Bank. About 17,000 foreigners work in the country illegally, according to official data. Abramowitz issued the following statement: “Freedom House condemns Hamas’s heinous attack on Israel, the abduction of civilian hostages, and the murder of innocent civilians. Italy’s parliamentary system features competitive multiparty elections. The parliament’s lower house is elected, but the electoral system puts the opposition at a disadvantage, and the chamber wields little power in practice. See the Freedom in the World 2017 score and learn about democracy and freedom in Israel. May 1, 2014 · DC think tank lists Israel as only free Mideast nation, but warns of legal shakeup. It is best known for political advocacy surrounding issues of democracy, political freedom, and human rights. We both wrote for our college newspaper. ”. In November, the government announced reforms that would dismantle parts of the kafala visa-sponsorship system and allow foreign workers to more Mar 23, 2023 · For the first time in a decade, freedom improved—albeit marginally—in the Middle East. Although the judiciary is comparatively active in protecting minority rights, the political leadership and many in society have discriminated against Arab and other The numerical ratings and status listed above do not reflect conditions in Israel or the West Bank, which are examined in separate reports. In 2005, Freedom in the World reduced the scores of just three countries for ethnic cleansing or other egregious efforts to alter the ethnic composition of their territory; this number has since grown to 11, and in some cases the scale or intensity of such activities has increased over time as well. Endemic problems with corruption and organized crime pose an enduring Mar 11, 2023 · Israel is the only nation in the Middle East considered “free” in the annual freedom index published by Washington-based Freedom House, but the think tank warned that the government’s plans CASE STUDIESIranPeople in Berlin demand the release of Amirhossein Moradi, Mohammad Rajabi, and Saeed Tamjidi, who took part in street demonstrations and now face possible. Freedom in the World. Since 2007, Israel’s de facto blockade of the territory, periodic military incursions, and rule-of-law violations have imposed serious hardship on the civilian population, as has Egypt’s tight control over the southern border. Let me start by thanking my good friend of so many years, Mike Abramowitz, for the honor of joining Freedom House tonight and helping you to celebrate the 2023 Annual Freedom Awards. Top NOW LIVE: Nations in Transit 2024. Overview. Histadrut has opened membership to foreign workers and called on employers to grant them equal rights. Political rights and civil liberties are legally guaranteed and largely respected. Expanding Freedom and Democracy. Freedom House is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D. Freedom in the World reports assess the level of political rights and civil liberties in a given geographical Turkey hosts 3. 🌍 Freedom in the Middle East declined in 2023, with 90% of the population living in Not Free countries & territories. Our annual Nations in Transit report Overview. However, the coalition collapsed in December 2020, and elections were scheduled for March 2021. 1 המגזר התקשורתי בישראל, בכללותו הוא נמרץ ולעתים קרובות NOW LIVE: Nations in Transit 2024. See the Freedom in the World 2022 score and learn about democracy and freedom in China. About 18,000 foreigners work in the country illegally. Countering Authoritarianism; Promoting a Global Democratic Landscape Freedom House rates people’s access to political rights and civil liberties in 210 countries and territories through its annual Freedom in the World report. Our Issues. Lebanon’s political system ensures representation for its officially recognized religious communities, but limits competition and impedes the rise of cross-communal or civic parties. Letter on protecting journalists and press freedom in the Israel-Gaza war. The share of the world’s population that enjoys a Free press stood at just 13 percent, meaning fewer than Israel is categorized Free in Freedom in the World 2024. The Israel-Hamas conflict highlighted… NOW LIVE: Nations in Transit 2024. The White House. Freedom House rates access to political rights and civil liberties in 210 countries and Global press freedom declined to its lowest point in 12 years in 2015, as political, criminal, and terrorist forces sought to co-opt or silence the media in their broader struggle for power. Countering Authoritarianism; Promoting a Global Democratic Landscape Feb 29, 2024 · Internet Freedom. Israel is a parliamentary democracy with a multiparty system and independent institutions that guarantee political rights and civil liberties for most of the population. 42 / 100. We will continue to do so in our 83rd year. Saudi Arabia’s absolute monarchy restricts almost all political rights and civil liberties. Freedom House Perspectives. The president is directly elected for up to two five-year terms. See the Freedom in the World 2022 score and learn about democracy and freedom in Israel. Freedom of expression, religious freedom, and civil society activism are tightly restricted. A2 0-4 pts. A top democracy index hasn't yet ranked Israel with Hungary. 6 million refugees from Syria, in addition to 400,000 refugees and asylum seekers from other parts of the world. About 17,000 foreigners work in the country illegally. Countering Authoritarianism; Promoting a Global Democratic Landscape Jan 10, 2024 · Advocacy letterJanuary 10, 2024. See the Freedom in the World 2018 score and This is the conclusion of new Freedom House research on the impact of COVID-19 on democracy and human rights, produced in partnership with the survey firm GQR. Most disturbingly, Freedom House’s global survey shows that ethnic cleansing is a growing trend. Prior to its 2011 edition, Freedom in the World featured one report for Israeli-occupied portions of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and another for Palestinian-administered portions. Civil liberties are generally respected, but concerns about the rights of migrants and LGBT+ people persist. It showed that once again Israel is not just a strong and vibrant democracy, but remains the only free country in the Middle East. Footer Main Menu. Discrimination against and exploitation of Palestinians from the occupied territories working in Israel remains commonplace. 0024. . There, he oversees a unique combination of analysis, advocacy, and direct support to frontline defenders of freedom, especially those working in closed authoritarian societies. Michael J. 5 million Syrians resided in Lebanon as of 2023. Regional inequalities are persistent and substantial. Washington, DC 20500. Partly Free. 25 / 100. A deepening economic crisis and the upcoming elections in 2023 Expanding Freedom and Democracy. Individual freedoms—ranging from the right to vote to freedom of expression and equality before the law—can be affected by state or nonstate actors. However, only about 785,000 were officially registered as refugees by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as of December 2023, as the government has barred the agency from registering new Syrian refugees since 2015. Abramowitz was the president of Freedom House, a non-partisan voice dedicated to supporting democracy. Modest improvements during calendar year 2022 occurred in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Israel, which each gained one point. The media and civil society groups are hampered by restrictive laws and government pressure. ישראל מדורגת כ"חופשית" בחופש בעולם 2022 (Freedom in the World 2022), דו"ח המחקר השנתי של בית החופש (Freedom House), המתייחס לזכויות פוליטיות ולחרויות אזרחיות. Vietnam is a one-party state, dominated for decades by the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). According to the Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, approximately 8,000 Palestinian security detainees and prisoners from the West Bank were held in Israeli prisons as of December 2023, including some 2,800 administrative detainees. January 10, 2024. Image credit: Sean Ga. 64 / 100. United States. 50 / 100. English; 简体中文; 繁體中文; Українська; Tiếng việt; русский Feb 29, 2024 · Partly Free. Mar 10, 2015 · For example, during the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2014, Foreign Minister Lieberman called on his Facebook page for a boycott of Arab-owned businesses that had joined in solidarity protests with the people of Gaza. Some 45 percent of those already residing in Lebanon prior to the Syrian civil war live in 12 designated refugee camps and are restricted from 39 professions, contributing to widespread poverty, unemployment, and underemployment. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N. Since 1941, Freedom House has ardently supported democracy’s bravest defenders across the globe. 53 / 100. A 2017 Israeli law bars entry for any foreign individual who publicly supports a boycott of Israel or its West Bank settlements. Forced labor is the norm in prisons and other detention facilities. President of the United States. Free. The pace of detentions accelerated after Hamas’s October attack. Civilians are never an appropriate target for any armed May 3, 2024 · Freedom House rating of Egypt's presidential election from 2005-2018; Freedom House Freedom Index for worldwide regions 2022; Freedom score for civil liberties in Israel 2000-2019 Dec 21, 2023 · Make a gift today and join Freedom House in our vision of creating a world where all are free. Based on a survey of 398 journalists, civil society workers, activists, and other experts as well as research on 192 countries by Freedom House’s global network of analysts, this Forced labor and human trafficking are common, affecting internal migrants as well as Chinese nationals who are trafficked abroad. C. 004. Following the October 2023 terrorist attack, access to areas near the borders with Gaza and Lebanon was restricted by the military, and about 200,000 Israelis were evacuated and displaced from the two zones. Feb 7, 2024 · Former President. The political system of Switzerland is characterized by decentralization and direct democracy. English; 简体中文; 繁體中文; Українська; Tiếng việt; русский Expanding Freedom and Democracy. English; 简体中文; 繁體中文; Українська; Tiếng việt; русский 2. The Freedom of Information Law grants every citizen and resident of Israel the right to receive information from a public authority. However, violent crime, which has markedly increased in recent years, has had a profound impact on the functioning of government and daily life Israel’s roughly 77,000 legal foreign workers are formally protected from exploitation by employers, but these guarantees are poorly enforced. Explore Nations in Transit 2024: A Region Reordered by Autocracy and Democracy. These violations included physical abuse, preventing journalists from covering certain events, and arrest and detention. Countering Authoritarianism; Promoting a Global Democratic Landscape Hungary Versus Brussels on the Diplomatic Stage. Countering Authoritarianism; Promoting a Global Democratic Landscape Feb 29, 2024 · Global Freedom. English; 简体中文; 繁體中文; Українська; Tiếng việt; русский Freedom House partners with civil society and human rights defenders throughout Africa to advance respect for human rights, strengthen democratic governance, and fortify just rule of law. Feb 29, 2024 · WASHINGTON — More than 90 percent of people in the Middle East live in countries rated Not Free, according to a new report released today by Freedom House. Netanyahu remained in office throughout the year despite being on trial for three separate corruption charges. Approximately 64 percent of Gaza’s labor force was unemployed as of mid-2019, an increase from 54 percent a year earlier, which was already one of the highest rates in the world. About 477,000 Palestinian refugees resided in Lebanon as of mid-2020. The United States is a federal republic whose people benefit from a vibrant political system, a strong rule-of-law tradition, robust freedoms of expression and religious belief, and a wide array of other civil liberties. Countering Authoritarianism; Promoting a Global Democratic Landscape Israel is categorized Free in Freedom in the World 2024. Israel’s military occupation of the West Bank entails onerous physical barriers and constraints on movement, demolition of homes and other physical infrastructure, restrictions on political rights and civil liberties, and expanding Jewish settlements that are widely considered to constitute a violation of international law. 0004. While residents enjoy some civil liberties and media pluralism, they also suffer Expanding Freedom and Democracy. Countering Authoritarianism; Promoting a Global Democratic Landscape Jun 29, 2023 · Freedom at a Glance. The offensive, which ended with a cease-fire after 11 days, killed about 250 Palestinians, including scores of civilians. English; 简体中文; 繁體中文; Українська; Tiếng việt; русский Feb 15, 2018 · Freedom House reported that “Israel’s civil liberties rating declined from 2 to 3 due to new legislation aimed at tightening restrictions on critical nongovernmental organizations and denying Expanding Freedom and Democracy. Israel is rated Free in Freedom in the World 2022, Freedom House’s annual study of political rights and civil liberties. These violations included physical assault, preventing journalists from covering certain events, interrogation, arrest, and detention. It built on the findings of Out of Sight, Not Out of Reach: The Global Scale and Scope of Transnational Repression —the first global study of this dangerous practice, which Freedom House released in February 2021. The government works actively to combat trafficking and protect victims. Feb 29, 2024 · Global Freedom. The campaign was characterized by media bias and allegations of misuse of public resources. Jul 25, 2020 · Democratic governance in the Nations in Transit region declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2023, as the region becomes increasingly defined by the widening gulf between those nations committed to a liberal, democratic order and those that violently reject it. English; 简体中文; 繁體中文; Українська; Tiếng việt; русский The country reported one of the Middle East’s highest infection rates, as infections peaked in June; the World Health Organization reported 362,000 cases and just over 6,200 deaths at year’s end. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP), which have ruled Turkey since 2002, have become increasingly authoritarian in recent years, consolidating significant power through constitutional changes and by imprisoning opponents and critics. The Iranian regime’s expansive definition of who constitutes a threat to the Islamic Republic contributes to the 0. 2024. However, the law includes blanket exemptions that allow officials to withhold information on the armed forces, intelligence services, the Atomic Energy Agency, and the prison system, potentially enabling the Feb 29, 2024 · Vietnam. The crown prince and eldest son of the king, Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, was appointed prime minister that year. Events; Perspectives Blog; Find A Country; Mega Menu. Hamas’s massive terrorist attack on October 7 and Israel’s ensuing military campaign in the Gaza Strip caused catastrophic human suffering and contributed to an overall decline in freedom for both Israel and the Gaza Strip in 2023. Although some independent candidates are technically allowed to run in legislative elections, most are banned in practice. 96 / 100. [3] Freedom House was founded in October 1941, with Wendell Willkie and Eleanor Roosevelt serving as its first honorary chairpersons. Reforms in 2011 shifted some authority over government from the monarchy to the national legislature. Organized criminal syndicates are responsible for the bulk of trafficking. No officials at the national level are elected. Belgium is a stable electoral democracy with a long record of peaceful transfers of power. Top. Security measures can sometimes present obstacles to freedom of movement. Jordan is a monarchy in which the king plays a dominant role in politics and governance. Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán’s antidemocratic, anti–European Union campaign has moved onto the regional and global stage, further eroding the bloc’s reputation and its foundational values of freedom and democracy. Major concerns in recent years have included the threat of terrorism, corruption scandals, and rising right-wing nationalism and xenophobia. Civil liberties are generally respected in the country, though laws and policies adopted in recent years have reflected a growing wariness of immigration and minority groups, which face societal and More than 1. The blockade of the Gaza Strip’s land borders and coastline has greatly reduced economic opportunity in the territory. Countering Authoritarianism; Promoting a Global Democratic Landscape Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, the uncle of the current king, Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, was the country’s only prime minister between independence from Britain in 1971 and his death in November 2020. Click on a country name below to access the full country narrative report. Countering Authoritarianism; Promoting a Global Democratic Landscape According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Ecuador hosted over 508,000 Venezuelans as of the end of 2021. 0034. 75 / 100. NOW LIVE: Nations in Transit 2024. For several months, his critics maintained weekly protests outside his residence in Jerusalem and at other locations across the country. Freedom House. Elections occur regularly in Ecuador, and some key state institutions have displayed greater independence in recent years. Reporters are subject to surveillance, assault, and detention by Israeli forces. Click on the countries to learn more. 1 The Israeli media sector as a whole is vibrant and often critical of government policy and political leaders. The state's Israel Land Authority owns 93 percent of the land; 13 percent of that is owned by the Jewish National Fund (JNF-KKL). 67 / 100. Now, we have to be honest with people; we’ve known each other for a while, going back to our college days. Countering Authoritarianism; Promoting a Global Democratic Landscape NOW LIVE: Nations in Transit 2024. However, in recent years its democratic institutions have suffered erosion. Subscribe. While the government has worked to provide them with basic services, a large minority of refugee children lack access to education, and few adults are able to obtain formal employment. Biden. Quicklinks. Click on the highlighted countries for data from our 2022 report. Freedom on the Net measures internet freedom in 70 countries. 8 / 100. Not Free. Israeli authorities were responsible for 210 media freedom violations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 2020, according to MADA. Internet Freedom. This refers, of course, to 2022 Democratic governance in the Nations in Transit region declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2023, as the region becomes increasingly defined by the widening gulf between those nations committed to a liberal, democratic order and those that violently reject it. The project draws on a database of 854 direct, physical cases of transnational repression that took place between 2014 and 2022. Morocco holds regular multiparty elections for Parliament and local bodies. The political rights and civil liberties of Gaza Strip residents are severely constrained or denied. Israel’s roughly 88,000 legal foreign workers are formally protected from exploitation by employers, but these guarantees are poorly enforced. to us pt fs vv uv xl qm pg dk