Massive Protests Erupt in Israel Over Netanyahu’s Judicial Overhaul Plan
Tens of thousands of Israelis flooded the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in a desperate attempt to prevent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial judicial overhaul plan from becoming law. The protests reached their peak as lawmakers began debating the bill on Sunday, with a crucial vote expected on Monday.
The proposed legislation aims to limit the Supreme Court’s authority to overturn government decisions that it deems “unreasonable.” Critics argue that this move poses a significant threat to Israel’s democratic principles.
In Jerusalem, demonstrators marched through the city’s main entrance, waving blue and white Israeli flags. The march concluded a four-day, 70-kilometer trek from Tel Aviv to the Israeli parliament. The ever-growing crowd was met with cheers and support as they set up tents outside the Knesset, where the vote is set to take place.
Protesters voiced their concerns about the erosion of democracy, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding their rights and those of future generations. Similar protests took place in Tel Aviv, Beersheba, Haifa, and Netanya, drawing hundreds of thousands of participants.
Early on Sunday, hundreds of protesters gathered at the Western Wall in Jerusalem to pray and express their opposition to the proposed overhaul. Others formed human chains in different areas of the city, including in front of Jaffa Gate in the Old City.
The magnitude of the protests has caught the attention of world leaders, with US President Joe Biden urging Netanyahu to seek a broader consensus and halt the plan.
The judicial overhaul has faced intense backlash from various sectors, including business leaders, medical professionals, and military reservists. More than 100 top former security chiefs, including retired military commanders and intelligence agency heads, have signed a letter to Netanyahu, blaming him for compromising Israel’s military and calling on him to abandon the legislation.
Despite the widespread opposition, Netanyahu and his far-right allies argue that the proposed changes are necessary to curb the excessive powers of unelected judges.
The final vote on the bill is set to take place on Monday, marking a significant moment in Israeli legislative history. If passed, the overhaul would not only limit the Supreme Court’s powers but also bring about other extensive changes, including altering the process of judicial appointments and restricting the court’s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions.
Protesters from all walks of Israeli society view the judicial overhaul as a power grab motivated by personal and political interests, including Netanyahu’s corruption trial and his allies’ desire to deepen Israel’s control over the West Bank and maintain draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.
While Netanyahu’s hospitalization for a pacemaker procedure added a layer of uncertainty, he confirmed in a video statement that he would be discharged in time for the vote. He hinted at the possibility of last-minute changes to the bill, highlighting ongoing negotiations with the opposition regarding the contentious “reasonability” clause.