Long-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing one of the biggest domestic crises of his career as Israeli doctors declared a strike and army reservists refused to heed call-ups. The strikes and protests are in response to the government’s ratification of the first part of a judicial overhaul that critics argue undermines democracy.
In the face of growing opposition, Israel’s military took disciplinary action, fining one reservist and giving another a suspended jail sentence for ignoring call-ups. Brigadier General Daniel Hagari warned that if reservists continue to abstain from duty, it could harm the military’s readiness over time.
Protesters took to the streets with all-black ads covering major newspapers, declaring it a “Black Day for Israeli Democracy.” They were joined by military reservists who vowed not to report for duty if the government proceeded with its plans. Former top military officials have also expressed concern about Israel’s war-readiness in the face of regional adversaries.
The crisis has led to meetings among Israel’s enemies, who are considering how to exploit the turmoil. It has also strained ties with the West, including the United States, which called the government’s actions “unfortunate.”
The crisis has also had economic consequences, with foreign investors pulling out and the shekel weakening. The Histadrut public sector union has threatened to strike, further impacting the economy.
In response to the protests, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich assured that the military remained combat-ready, even as reservists expressed their discontent. Opposition leader Yair Lapid urged the reservists to wait for a Supreme Court ruling on appeals against the new law, while political watchdog groups and the Israel Bar Association have already filed challenges.
The crisis has created a deep divide within Israeli society and raised concerns about the country’s democracy. It has also been compounded by Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial and his recent hospitalization to receive a pacemaker. Additionally, Netanyahu’s coalition’s expansion of Jewish settlements on occupied land has strained relations with the United States.
In the midst of the crisis, three Palestinian militants were killed by Israeli troops in the West Bank, and a video emerged of masked men on the Lebanese border, raising tensions in the region.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has sought to address the situation by pledging to seek political consensus going forward and aiming for November as the deadline for any further legislation.
Israel’s medical professionals called off their 24-hour strike after a court order, but many express concerns about working in a non-democratic state. The crisis has also affected the arts, with audience members and actors expressing their discontent during performances.
As the crisis deepens, the future of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government and the implications for Israeli democracy remain uncertain.