2023-07-23 08:41:00
Binyamin Netanyahu experienced health problems on the night of July 22-23. The installation of a pacemaker was necessary for the Israeli Prime Minister. Hospitalized in Tel Aviv, “he will remain under medical supervision in the cardiology department,” the hospital communicated. A week ago, Mr Netanyahu, 73, left the same medical center after being hospitalized overnight for dizziness.
The center then decided to use a Holter monitor to monitor his heart rate as part of cardiological examinations, Professor Amit Segev, head of the cardiology department at Sheba Hospital, said last week. The Israeli Prime Minister was hospitalized, the day after massive demonstrations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem against a judicial reform carried out by his government and which has divided the country for months.
Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters marched Saturday in Tel Aviv and near Parliament in Jerusalem to hammer home their opposition to a controversial judicial reform that is the subject of a crucial vote in the coming days. “Democracy or revolution! chanted protesters in Tel Aviv on Saturday, while tens of thousands of others sang pro-democracy slogans for this 29th evening in a row of mobilization, according to an AFP journalist on the spot.
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On Saturday, demonstrations also took place in Beersheva (south), Herzliya and Kfar Saba north of Tel Aviv, according to images distributed by the organizers. “The government is not listening to us, that means it’s the beginning of a new era, a bad era,” said 55-year-old Idit Dekel to AFP. According to the government, the reform aims, in particular, to rebalance the powers, by reducing the prerogatives of the Supreme Court, which the executive considers politicized, for the benefit of Parliament. But its detractors believe that it risks opening the way to an anti-liberal or authoritarian drift. From Sunday noon in the Knesset (Parliament), debates will be held on a reform measure aimed at canceling the possibility for Israeli justice to rule on the “reasonableness” of government decisions.
This clause will then be voted on at second and third readings. If passed, it will be the first major component of the proposed judicial reform to become law.
Pressure from protesters and reservists
To put pressure on the deputies, thousands of demonstrators gathered on Saturday evening outside the Knesset and the Supreme Court, in Jerusalem, after having traveled the approximately 65 kilometers between Tel Aviv and the Holy City. Carrying umbrellas for protection from the scorching sun, bottles of water and Israeli flags, the marchers marched down a stretch of the highway, stopping at noon and at night.
At the end of the day, hundreds of demonstrators set up makeshift tents near the Knesset and promised to spend the night there. “This government is an extremist, religious government and we hope to bring it down as soon as possible,” explains Guy Maidan, who took part in this multi-day march with his family.
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The government is “trying to overthrow the whole democracy, essential laws and human rights, and we are here to stop it”, claims Keren Mor, one of the demonstrators. Approved at first reading on the night of July 10 to 11, the clause on “reasonableness” forced Mr. Netanyahu in January to dismiss the number two in the government, Arié Dery, convicted of tax evasion, following the intervention of the Supreme Court.
Other measures provoke the dissatisfaction of the demonstrators, such as that modifying the process of appointment of judges, already adopted by the deputies at first reading. Critics of the Prime Minister, on trial for corruption, accuse him of wanting to use this reform to mitigate a possible verdict against him.
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“We will not allow a corrupt, messianic and extremist government to destroy the State of Israel,” Merav Michaeli, one of the opposition leaders, said on Twitter. “We will triumph. »
At least 1,142 Israeli Air Force reservists threatened on Saturday to suspend their voluntary service if the Knesset passes the bill. Any legislation applied in an “unreasonable” manner, “would compromise my willingness to continue risking my life and compel me, with great sadness, to suspend my voluntary reserve service”, they said in a statement.
Thursday evening, Mr. Netanyahu affirmed to remain “open” to negotiations with the opposition, while the project also arouses criticism abroad, in particular in the United States, close allies of Israel. US President Joe Biden on Wednesday urged the Israeli government not to “rush” its reforms and to proceed with caution.
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