One of the serious dangers that has emerged in recent years for democracy in the country is the establishment of leader parties. Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz, and alongside Avigdor Lieberman, established complete patterns of control over the parties they formed, leading a situation in which the leaders personally determine their key moves, without having to give an internal account of their actions.

In fact, Knesset members or active party members are not much more than statistics that can be replaced whenever the leader so decides. The framework, so important to conflicts and exchanges - the center of the party - has been thrown into an angle fund.

Not long ago, many on the left and in the center chuckled with condescension about the ultra-Orthodox parties, led by the Council of Torah scholars. Today, they are in the same situation, and perhaps even worse. An active party, capable of expressing the diverse voices that exist autonomously and freely, has become a rare political commodity.

One of the highlights of the "leader's party" phenomenon was recorded a few weeks ago, when Yair Lapid extended "his term as chairman of the future in a technical process in the light of the special circumstances". What is it, if not a dictatorship for beginners ...? Yair Lapid held his position as chairman for two terms. In 2016, our term was extended to the 22nd Knesset. Now, 2019, Israeli democracy at its best ... has been extended to three more terms - by the end of the 25th Knesset.

Knesset member of Lapid's party, Elazar Stern, announced on a television show that the list of his party's Knesset members is better than that of the Likud. No sir, the former champion, a mistake in your hands! Miri Regev, Amir Ohana and Uncle Amsalem, David Bitten and Gila Gamliel were battling for a place on the Knesset list. They are in the Knesset by virtue and not by grace. You, however ... are there at the mercy of the party leader. On the day of your education, what will happen? You, and each member of your party's Knesset, have been given your political place on the basis of a "personal partnership" with the party leader. And you still boast about that? The absence of democracy in your party has become a source of pride? Just hear and don't believe.

The idea underlying the leader's party is that a surplus of sharing and multiplying within the party will lead to a reduction of real democracy and impair the ability to function effectively according to the leader's interests. In fact, in Israel there is elitist politics that sees the involvement of political activists in instrumental terms, since their involvement is no longer desirable in the ideological and ideological realm. Their involvement in an active and vibrant party center can put the leader on overload, which will require him to consider different groups to further his plans.

Like corporations or hierarchical organizations, the leader's parties do not believe in the common man's wisdom as individuals and the collective intelligence of human beings, and consequently their perception of democracy as a method of election leadership is reduced.

In the coming weeks, tens of thousands of Likud members are expected to decide in the primaries on the party leadership between Benjamin Netanyahu and Gideon Sa'ar. These levels of tension are rising and the intensity of the arguments will intensify for jarring tones. However, this is not a zero-sum debate between the two opponents. It is the expression of a vibrant party, seeking its way to bring about a competitive partnership in which the expression of a wide range of personalities will be expressed in determining its character.

Neither Netanyahu nor Saar can be elected without the support of the political branches and activists, and these become figures whose voices are played and have a significant impact. This is the dynamic hope of democracy in Israel, against the dangerous fossils of the leader's parties.

Dr. Uri Cohen is a senior lecturer at the School of Education, Tel Aviv University