Protests in Israel have been intensifying as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government presses ahead with its controversial judicial reform plans. On Wednesday, Israeli police fired stun grenades in Tel Aviv as scuffles broke out across the country during what protest organisers have dubbed a “day of disruption”. Demonstrators blocked the main highway from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, shouting “Israel is not a dictatorship, Israel is not Hungary” and waving blue and white Israeli flags. Police on horseback attempted to stop protesters breaching barricades as traffic piled up, with some demonstrators being dragged off the road. At least nine people were arrested.
Netanyahu has tweeted that his government will not “accept violence against police officers, roadblocks and flagrant violation of state laws”, adding that “the right to protest is not the right to anarchy”. The proposed judicial reform includes giving ruling coalition lawmakers decisive sway in picking judges and limits the scope of the Supreme Court to strike down legislation or rule against the executive.
The plan has already been met with mass protests, criticism from legal experts and rare demonstrations from army reservists who have pledged to disobey orders under what they say will be a dictatorship after the overhaul passes. Business leaders, the country’s tech sector and leading economists have warned of economic turmoil if the judicial changes are implemented.
Polls have shown that the plan is unpopular with most Israelis, who would prefer a compromise be reached. US Ambassador Tom Nides has urged the government to “slow down a little bit, maybe bring people together, try and build some consensus”. However, Netanyahu’s coalition has not reached out to the opposition to try and bring them on board over the issue.
The proposed legal overhaul has already had an effect on the Israeli shekel and drawn concern from some Western allies about the health of democracy in Israel. If written into law, it could have far-reaching implications for the country’s economy and political system. As demonstrations continue to intensify, it remains to be seen whether Netanyahu’s government will reach a compromise or push ahead with its plans.