Mass protests have been taking place in Israel for the past 23 weeks, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets in cities and towns across the country. The demonstrations are in response to controversial plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to overhaul the judiciary, as well as the deadly violence affecting Palestinian communities in Israel.
The protests began in January, shortly after Netanyahu’s far-right government was sworn in. Since then, they have gained momentum, with large turnouts of over 200,000 demonstrators at times. Protest organizers have said they will not give up until the government cancels the proposed legal changes rather than delaying them.
The proposed judicial overhaul bill would weaken the courts and limit oversight on laws and government decisions. Netanyahu’s government argues that the changes are needed to rebalance powers between legislators and the judiciary. However, critics say the bill poses a direct threat to civil rights and warn it will grant the government unrestrained power as well as upend the country’s system of checks and balances.
Protesters have also criticized the government’s inaction over a soaring crime wave that has affected Palestinian citizens of Israel. Since the start of the year, some 102 Palestinian-Israelis have been killed in crime-related violence, according to Israeli media. On Thursday, five Palestinian-Israelis were shot dead at a car wash in Yafia, a town near the city of Nazareth, police said.
Palestinian citizens of Israel have long complained of discrimination and police inaction against violence and crime that disproportionately affects their communities. Protesters have held signs criticizing government inaction over this issue, with one sign reading “dead-class citizen”, a play on the phrase second-class citizen.
Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak has called for a non-violent civil uprising against Netanyahu’s government, saying “this is not the time for a time-out”. He added that “the protest must intensify and move into a civil uprising. Non-violent civil disobedience”.
The mass demonstrations have drawn attention to the issues facing Palestinian communities in Israel and the need for government action to address them. They have also highlighted the importance of maintaining democracy in Israel and ensuring that civil rights are protected.
In central Tel Aviv, protester Michal Gat said: “Our country is being captured by extreme people… we’re being held hostage”. “It’s super important for the Israeli people to keep Israel a democracy,” the 47-year-old tech worker told the AFP news agency.
The protests have been ongoing for over five months, and it remains to be seen whether they will lead to any significant changes in government policy. However, they have demonstrated the power of collective action and the importance of speaking out against injustice and discrimination.
In conclusion, the mass protests in Israel have drawn attention to the need for government action to address the issues facing Palestinian communities in the country. They have also highlighted the importance of maintaining democracy and protecting civil rights. While it remains to be seen whether the protests will lead to any significant changes in government policy, they have demonstrated the power of collective action and the importance of speaking out against injustice and discrimination.