Last week was closed off with a horrific terrorist attack in Jerusalem – 7 people slaughtered outside a Synagogue after evening prayers by a terrorist. Less that 24 hours later, a 13 year old Palestinian kid shot at Jews in the Old City. Mayhem.

Within days, the country had moved on – apart from the grieving families and the security services.

The question of the future direction of the country proved more important than the hard emotions of the immediate past. What will happen to Israel’s democracy – assuming that Netanyahu goes ahead with his reforms of the country’s legal system?

The Israeli Prime Minister constantly repeats to his audiences that his changes will strengthen democracy. I have yet to hear him explain how. I have yet to hear experts in law – local or from abroad – backing up his ideas.

What we have seen in the past week are 50 former director generals of economic ministries, most of whom were appointed in previous Netanyahu governments, denounce the plans.

The appreciation and stability that the Israeli economy enjoys is due, among other things, to the independence of the judiciary and the civil service, and harming them and lowering their quality will lead to damage to the Israeli economy, a cut in the credit rating and difficulties in raising capital for the tech industry.

Even before these new laws are approved in the Kenesset, The Economist magazine has already notably downgraded Israel in its annual Democracy Index. And on a visit to Israel, the American Secretary of State, Blinken, hinted that Washington is not thrilled at what is coming.

Then on Thursday, the Attorney-General came out with a much anticipated statement on the Prime Minister himself and his policies. In effect, she described the plans as toxic (my wording). And as for Netanyahu, he should disbar himself from all policy making on the subject, as he is currently the subject of three pending court cases.

What was most damning about the statement from AG, Gali Baharav-Miara, was that she went through the proposed changes line by line. She dismantled their proposed benefits.

Yes: The Likud Party of Netanyahu responded with shouts of she herself was in violation of conflict of interest and a puppet of opposition politicians. However, yet again, no legal person or institution of note denounced her. None came out in favour of the government. Why is that?

Earlier this week, I was talking to a colleague, who represents clients in nearby countries around the Mediterranean. They noted that since the new government’s inauguration in Israel, there has been a significant upsurge in the inquiries from people asking about transferring wealth away from the Holy Land. Mainly just inquiries, at this stage.

Just saying.