Demonstrations took place in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and municipalities in the center of the country. Protesters waved Israeli flags and turned on headlights. Police sometimes used water cannons and mounted units against protesters.
According to media reports, at least 66 arrests were made, most of them in Tel Aviv. Some of those affected are now at large. According to police, between 10,000 and 15,000 protesters gathered at Ben Gurion International Airport.
AP/Tsafrir Abayov Thousands of protesters also gathered at Ben Gurion International Airport
The wave of protests can also be felt in sectors of the Army. 300 reservists from the cyber defense department failed to show up for duty on Tuesday, Israeli media reported. In addition, around 200 Air Force reservists will meet with representatives of the protest movement.
Strong criticism of the government’s plans
Mass protests against the restructuring of the judiciary have lasted for months. The government’s plans include restricting judicial powers against government decisions. The opposition rejects this as dangerous interference with the independence of the judiciary. She also criticizes the fact that it opens the door to corruption and abuse of power.
Government pushes plans
Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges, met opponents of the reform in late June and announced he would withdraw the most controversial part. This would have allowed Parliament to overturn Supreme Court decisions.
Netanyahu stood his ground in the debate ahead of Monday’s Knesset vote, advocating disproportionate judicial interference in policy decisions. “It is not the end of democracy, it strengthens democracy,” said the prime minister. “Even after the change, the independence of the court and civil rights in Israel will not be affected in any way. The court will continue to monitor the legality of government actions and appointments.”
Israel: Violent protests against judicial reform
On Tuesday night, a core element of the controversial judicial reform was passed in Israel’s parliament. Now there are violent protests against it.
Because of mass protests, Netanyahu suspended the project at the end of March. A compromise with the opposition mediated by President Isaak Herzog did not happen. At the end of June, the two main opposition politicians, Jair Lapid and Benni Ganz, suspended participation in the negotiations. In parliament, the opposition unanimously voted against restructuring the judiciary on Monday.
Voted on the suitability clause
The first-reading vote was on the adequacy clause, which, according to the bill, judges will no longer be able to make use of in the future. This could have an impact on the appointment of ministers.
Portal/Nir Elias Mass protests across the country erupted again in Israel on Tuesday
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court opposed the appointment of Netanyahu’s preferred minister, Arie Deri. The judges argued that the appointment as Home and Health Minister was “inappropriate” and therefore invalid because of Deri’s multiple convictions, including corruption and tax evasion. Netanyahu was then forced to dismiss Deri, but he accused the court of disregarding voters’ wishes.
Most disputed votes in the fall
Another aim of the government’s plans is to give politicians more influence in appointing judges. According to media reports, this central reform project is expected to be placed on the agenda of the next session in the autumn.
The State of Israel does not have a written constitution and is instead based on a set of fundamental laws. The supreme court is therefore of particular importance when it comes to upholding the rule of law and human rights.
ask for de-escalation
President Herzog urged the parties to de-escalate and engage in dialogue: “We are at the height of a deep and worrying crisis.” “When the situation reaches an extreme and all other avenues are exhausted, we will step in and use our power,” threatened Arnon Bar-David.
Protesters block road in Tel Aviv
In Tel Aviv, demonstrators blocked the highway in protest against a bill for the planned restructuring of the judiciary, which was passed in first reading by parliament. Police used water cannons to break up the demonstration. Several people were arrested.
The Histadrut, which has about 800,000 members, called a general strike in late March over Netanyahu’s brief resignation of Defense Minister Joav Galant. Galant has previously publicly criticized the judiciary’s restructuring approach. Netanyahu put the project on hold at the time, and Galant’s dismissal was later reversed.
“Expression of active democracy”
The United States and Israel’s international allies also expressed concern. A statement by the Austrian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said Israel enjoys a special reputation as a “stable and solid democracy in a region marked by tensions”. One is convinced that the Israeli government is aware of this “and does not lightly jeopardize this unique selling point as democracy”. Separation of powers and an independent judiciary are the “backbone of a democracy”.
At the same time, the ongoing protests in Israel are “an expression of a particularly active democracy and citizen participation”, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Even if attempts at mediation between the government and the opposition so far have not been fruitful, “a viable and constructive solution needs to be found that respects these principles.” Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) also regularly emphasizes this in his conversations with his Israeli counterpart Eli Kohen.