In view of ongoing mass protests against the planned restructuring of the judiciary, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant has spoken out in favor of a month-long pause in the legislative process. “We have to stop the legislative process,” Galant said tonight, speaking of a month. A continued division of the population on this issue could become a “real threat to Israel’s security”.
Whoever wins this tug of war, “on the street or in the Knesset”, the State of Israel will be the “loser”, said the Minister of Defense in a speech. Galant called for a pause before lawmakers vote next week on a key item in the government’s plans that would change the judge selection process in favor of the policy. At the same time, Galant called for an end to the demonstrations.
Hundreds of thousands in the streets
Meanwhile, around 200,000 people demonstrated in Tel Aviv against the planned restructuring of the Israeli judiciary, as estimated by the Israeli media. “That’s all we can hope for, that he (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu) will lead us away from the abyss,” said one protester.
In Jerusalem, thousands of demonstrators marched in front of President Isaac Herzog’s residence. “It’s very bad for our country,” said one protester. The reforms “will have a very negative impact on marginalized groups – on lesbians, gays and the Arab population.”
Mass protests against the reform have been taking place in Israel for eleven weeks. Israel’s most important allies, including the United States, have also questioned the reform plans. Overall, the ultra-right governing coalition’s plans are aimed at limiting the powers of the judiciary. Netanyahu describes the restructuring as necessary to restore balance in the separation of powers.