Tens of thousands of people demonstrated against controversial judicial reform in Israel on Saturday night. At the central rally in Tel Aviv, protesters chanted “democracy” while waving white and blue national flags. Several participants also quickly rewrote the protest song “Bella Ciao” to “Bibi Ciao”. “Bibi” is the nickname of right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to media reports, thousands took to the streets in Jerusalem, Haifa and several other cities. The government is currently dealing with judicial reform again. Netanyahu initially suspended plans to restructure the judicial system in March after heavy pressure. According to Israeli media, however, a law will be passed in the coming weeks that will restrict the court’s ability to declare government decisions “inappropriate”. Critics worry that key posts could be arbitrarily filled by the government.
A few days ago, Netanyahu tried to appease: he had “discarded” a controversial part of the reform, he told the Wall Street Journal. Specifically, it is a clause that allows Parliament to overrule Supreme Court decisions by a simple majority. However, critics do not see this as a reversal of reform, not least because they believe there are many other pain points on the government’s agenda.
With the conversion, the coalition specifically wants to weaken the country’s highest court. The government accuses judges of excessive interference in political decisions. Critics see the separation of powers, and therefore the democratic order, in jeopardy.
The next demonstration is already planned for Monday night – in front of Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv. According to the organizers, air traffic must not be disturbed. It’s summer break in Israel right now and many families are going on vacation.