Israel as we know it (a militaristic, apartheid state that offers democracy and liberalism to Jews only) is disappearing. It is slowly but surely becoming theocratic and authoritarian, even to Jews. Progressive Israeli Jews (progressive by Israeli standards) have realized this over the past few years. More and more are leaving the country--not because of apartheid or violence against Palestinians, but because "their" Israel is being overtaken.

2/

Of course there is Bibi's judicial reform, but that's the tip of the iceberg. Look at how the police treats protestors. How the Knesset bans politicians who are too critical of Israel. How the nationalist religious (far right settlers) are gaining influence in the army.

3/

Sadly, that's what it will take for the West to impose sanctions against Israel. When Europe and the US impose sanctions--and they will, it's only a matter of time--it will be as a response to Israel's treatment of Palestinians, but it will be also largely because suddenly Europeans and Americans realize that their Israeli ally illiberal, autocratic, corrupt, violent against its own population.

4/

Israel will stop caring about appearances, about looking democratic, about telling the West what it wants to hear so that they can be left alone. Colonization and ethnic cleansing are a higher priority than foreign support, as we are already seeing.

Even well-meaning Germans won't be able to justify supporting Isrel anymore and their Holocaust guilt will finally give in. Other Europeans are already fed up and only need that extra illiberal push to take them over the edge.

5/

American Jews, who are already taking their distance with Israel, will realize--like my mom--that this isn't the Israel they knew and loved. They won't be able claim allyship and friendship with a state that isn't just endlessly colonizing and murdering Palestinians (for some reason, that wasn't enough for them to question their support for Israel), but that's also repressing its own population.

6/