Threat to democracy. Historic protests in Israel

In Israel, for 10 weeks, the street protests have not subsided, even the military is joining the actions. What doesn’t suit the demonstrators?

In Israel, 500,000 demonstrators rallied over the weekend in what organizers say is the largest street protest in the country’s history. Israelis have been opposing the government’s proposed reform of the judiciary for 10 weeks now.

Remember that half of the protestors, and it is about 240,000 people, gathered in Tel Aviv. In Jerusalem, several hundred demonstrators gathered in front of the home of President Yitzhak Herzog. They carried Israeli flags and chanted slogans, including “Israel will not become a dictatorship.” Note that the Duke, whose role in Israel is largely ceremonial, also called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to abandon the law to overhaul the judiciary.

“Threat to Democracy”

The demonstrators said they were coming out to defend democracy, which has been encroached upon by the new Netanyahu government. In particular, the proposed judicial reform does not allow Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, to overturn Supreme Court decisions by a simple majority vote. Note that Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, with only a majority in the Knesset, will always be able to bypass the Supreme Court’s veto and approve or repeal any laws.

The reform also gives the government the right to appoint judges. Currently, this task is entrusted to a committee composed not only of judges, but of lawyers and politicians. Such changes, say Netanyahu’s critics, would remove the power and independence of the state’s legal advisers and the courts’ power to annul “unreasonable” government appointments, such as the High Court did in January, forcing Netanyahu to fire interior and health minister Aryeh Deri.

Critics also accuse Netanyahu of advancing the law to avoid the corruption trial he is currently facing. He himself denied this, saying the changes were necessary after abuses by unelected judges.

“We are tired of being polite… If the proposed laws are passed, Israel will no longer be a democracy,” said Shikma Bressler, leader of the Israeli protests.

“The only thing this government cares about is crushing Israeli democracy,” said opposition leader and former prime minister Yair Lapid.

Note that a poll conducted last month for the Israel Democracy Institute showed that 66% of Israelis believe that the Supreme Court should have the right to overturn laws and about the same number (63%) of citizens of the country supports the current system of appointing judges.

Army against the initiative of Netanyahu

The issue of judicial reform caused deep divisions in the army. Reservists, who form the backbone of Israel’s army, have threatened to refuse to serve to join the protesters.

Also last week, dozens of reserve pilots from an elite squadron of the Israeli Air Force abandoned the exercise in protest. But later, after negotiations with their commanders, they changed their position.

Note that on Thursday, protesters also blocked roads and tried to prevent Netanyahu from flying to Rome.

Government position

So far the government has stuck to its position and shows no signs of being willing to talk to the demonstrators. Moreover, the planned reforms are already going through the Parliament. Israeli authorities argue that limiting the judiciary is “the will of the people and a need for further development in all areas.”

Netanyahu himself said the reforms were designed to prevent the courts from abusing their powers, and the Israeli public voted for them in the last election.

The government continues to insist that the protests in the streets of Israeli cities are organized by the opposition for the sake of general destabilization in the country, and that the reform is only used as an excuse.

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