Thousands of Israelis march towards Jerusalem to protest against the reform of the judicial system, on Saturday, July 22, 2023 in Jerusalem. OHAD ZWIGENBERG v AP
In Tel Aviv or near Parliament in Jerusalem, tens of thousands of Israeli demonstrators marched on Saturday July 22 to show their opposition to judicial reform. This controversial revision is the subject of a crucial vote in the coming days.
The judicial reform implemented by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is deeply dividing Israel, which has been rocked by one of the longest protest movements in its history since January. “Democracy or revolution! chanted protesters in Tel Aviv on Saturday, while tens of thousands others chanted pro-democracy slogans for the 29th straight night, according to a local Agence France-Presse journalist.
According to the government, one of the aims of the reform is to rebalance power relations by reducing the prerogatives of the Supreme Court, which the executive sees as politicized, in favor of parliament. But its critics believe this risks paving the way for anti-liberal or authoritarian tendencies.
debates in Parliament
Beginning on Sunday noon, the Knesset (parliament) will debate a reform measure aimed at removing the ability of the Israeli judiciary to decide on the “reasonableness” of government decisions. This clause will then be voted on in the 2nd and 3rd readings. If passed, it will be the first major part of the proposed judicial reform to go into effect.
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To put pressure on MPs, thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of the Knesset and the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on Saturday evening after having traveled the approximately 65 kilometers between Tel Aviv and the Holy City. Armed with umbrellas to protect themselves from the scorching sun, water bottles and Israeli flags, the protesters marched down a section of the highway, stopping midday and evening. According to the organizers, demonstrations are also taking place in other Israeli cities, for example in Beersheva (in the south) or in Kfar Saba and Herzliya north of Tel Aviv.
The “adequacy” clause, adopted at first reading on the night of July 10-11, had forced Mr Netanyahu in January to sack the government’s number two, Arié Dery, who was convicted of tax evasion after the Supreme Court intervened.
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Other measures arouse dissatisfaction among the demonstrators, such as changing the procedure for appointing judges, which MEPs already approved at first reading. Critics of the prime minister accused of corruption accuse him of wanting to mitigate a possible sentence against him with this reform.
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At least 1,142 Israeli Air Force reservists on Saturday threatened to suspend their volunteer service if the Knesset passes the law. Any legislation applied in an “unreasonable” manner “would jeopardize my willingness to continue risking my life and would force me, with great sadness, to suspend my voluntary reserve service,” they said, as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalated.
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On Thursday evening, Mr Netanyahu reiterated that he remains “open” to negotiations with the opposition, while the project has also drawn criticism abroad, particularly in the US, a close ally of Israel. US President Joe Biden urged the Israeli government not to “rush” its reforms and to proceed with caution in an unusually direct criticism of Israel’s domestic policies on Wednesday.
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