Massive Protests Sweeping Israel Against Government’s Judicial Overhaul
Tens of thousands of people in Israel took to the streets for the 38th week in a row to protest against the government’s proposed judicial overhaul. The protests followed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his recent visit to the United States, where demonstrators made their voices heard.
As the protests coincided with Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism, the theme of the demonstrations centered around the idea that there can be no forgiveness for attempts to turn Israel into a dictatorship. Protest leaders condemned the threats against the judges of the High Court and the government’s intention to disobey their rulings, vowing that the people of Israel would not let such actions pass.
The protesters also voiced their concern over the incitement by Netanyahu and his coalition partners against American Jewry, the High Court judges, and the demonstrators themselves. They emphasized that this incitement was detrimental to Israel both from within and externally.
Netanyahu, before leaving for the United States, accused the protesters of aligning themselves with the PLO and Iran, claiming that they were collaborating against him abroad. However, protest organizers clarified that their demonstrations were unrelated to pro-PLO and pro-BDS activists and were solely focused on opposing the government’s judicial overhaul plans.
The demonstrations took place at around 150 locations across the country, with a march from Tel Aviv’s Dizengoff Square leading up to the central rally at Kaplan Street. Veterans of the Yom Kippur War, which marks its 50th anniversary, played a prominent role in the protests. Representatives of bereaved families spoke at the main event in Tel Aviv, highlighting the importance of their sacrifices not being in vain and emphasizing the significance of Israel remaining a democracy.
The protests occurred as the High Court reviewed petitions against the reasonableness law, which restricts judicial review of government decisions. The court’s ruling on this matter is expected to take several weeks, if not months.
The reasonableness law is part of the government’s broader judicial overhaul program, which has faced significant opposition from protest groups and opposition parties. The coalition is also pushing for legislation that would grant them almost complete control over the Judicial Selection Committee, responsible for appointing judges in Israel.
The possibility of the court striking down a Basic Law would be unprecedented and could potentially lead to a constitutional crisis if the coalition refuses to abide by such a ruling. In recent interviews, Netanyahu declined to commit to abiding by the court’s decision, further fueling tensions.
During his US trip, Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly, focusing on potential normalization with Saudi Arabia and artificial intelligence, without mentioning the government’s legislative program to weaken the judiciary. Meanwhile, anti-overhaul protesters gathered outside the venue.
The divisive legislative package was also a topic of discussion during Netanyahu’s meeting with American Jewry leaders, where concerns were expressed about fundamental changes to Israel’s democratic system without broad consensus.
In summary, the ongoing protests in Israel against the government’s judicial overhaul have gained momentum, with thousands of demonstrators expressing their opposition to the proposed changes. The protests align with the holiest day in Judaism, emphasizing the importance of maintaining Israel’s democratic values. The government’s plans and the potential disregard for court rulings have further heightened tensions.
