A major highway running from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was blocked on Wednesday by protesters who oppose the government’s planned judicial reform. The controversial project evokes a lot of emotions in Israel. Opponents of the proposed changes see them as a threat to democracy.
– Israel is not a dictatorship, Israel is not Hungary shouted the protesters, waving blue and white Israeli flags. As Reuters writes, protesters expect the demonstrations to become nationwide.
Israel’s far-right Homeland Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he would not allow “rebels” and “anarchists” to block roads.
This is another protest against the proposed reform of the judiciary in recent days. Over on Saturday 100,000 Israelis left on the streets of Tel Aviv and other cities to express their opposition to the government’s plans. Reserve officers and soldiers of the Special Operations Department of the Military Intelligence joined the protest. They threatened to stop reporting to duty if the government pushed for controversial changes.
Protest against the reform of the judiciary
Controversial reform of the judiciary
A highly emotional plan for changes to the judiciary system was proposed in January by the Prime Minister’s nationalist-religious coalition government Benjamin Netanyahu. The draft reform of the judiciary provides, among other things, for greater government control over the election of Supreme Court judges, as well as the possibility of repealing judgments of this court by a majority of 61 votes in the 120-member Knesset.
Critics argue that the implementation of the proposed changes will significantly weaken the independence of the Israeli judiciary. They emphasize that Israel does not have a constitution and that the Israeli parliament (Knesset) consists of only one chamber, controlled by the government coalition.
On Wednesday, the parliamentary Committee on the Constitution, Justice and Law was to pre-approve further proposals contained in the plan of changes in the judiciary system.
Warning that the country is on the brink of a “constitutional and social crisis,” President Isaac Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial (real state power rests with the prime minister), is trying to work out a compromise on changes to the judiciary.
Protest against the reform of the judiciaryReuters
“slow down a bit”
The reform plan, although not yet formally enshrined in a bill, has already influenced the exchange rate of the Israeli shekel. It has also raised concern among some Western allies, who have signaled concern about the potential impact of the proposed changes on the state of Israeli democracy.
– Slow down a bit, hold broad talks, try to build some consensus – appealed the ambassador USA in Israel Tom Nides at the Tel Aviv University Institute for National Security Studies conference late Tuesday evening.
Netanyahu, who faces corruption allegations, says the changes will restore balance between the branches of power and boost business. However, economists and legal experts believe that the reform will lead to Israel’s isolation and will have a serious impact on the country’s economy.
Main photo source: Reuters