Thousands of Israeli protesters took to the streets on Tuesday, expressing their opposition to the government’s plan to overhaul the country’s judicial system. The protests, which included blocking major highways and gathering at the main international airport, reflect the deep divisions within the nation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition has given initial approval to a bill that would limit the Supreme Court’s oversight powers, a move that has sparked months of sustained protests.
The demonstrations began after Netanyahu’s ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox allies proposed a series of bills aimed at weakening the powers of unelected judges. These proposed changes include giving Netanyahu’s allies control over the appointment of judges and allowing parliament to overturn court decisions. The bill that was approved in the parliamentary vote aims to strip the Supreme Court of its power to review the “reasonability” of government decisions.
The protests have been ongoing since January when Netanyahu’s far-right government first presented the overhaul plan. The opposition to the plan led Netanyahu to suspend it in March, but he decided to revive it last month after compromise talks collapsed. The recent parliamentary vote has given fresh momentum to the protest movement, with two more votes expected by the end of the month before the bill becomes law.
Throughout the day, anti-overhaul activists demonstrated nationwide, with a mass protest taking place at Ben-Gurion International Airport. Approximately 10,000 people gathered outside the main hall, waving Israeli flags and expressing their concerns about the direction of the country. While police prevented the crowd from entering the terminal, travel was not disrupted.
Protests also took place outside US diplomatic offices in Tel Aviv, with demonstrators calling on the White House to pressure Netanyahu to halt the overhaul. Additionally, a smaller protest occurred outside Netanyahu’s home in central Jerusalem. Police reported a total of 71 arrests nationwide for alleged public disorder, but no major violence was reported.
Critics of the judicial overhaul argue that it will upset the country’s system of checks and balances and concentrate power in the hands of Netanyahu and his allies. They also raise concerns about Netanyahu’s conflict of interest, as he is currently on trial for corruption charges. The United States, Israel’s most important ally, has also criticized the overhaul effort, urging Netanyahu to seek a broad consensus on any legal changes.
The protests have attracted a wide range of participants from various sectors of Israeli society, including reserve military officers, business leaders, LGBTQ+ individuals, and members of other minority groups. The ongoing unrest has caused unease among foreign investors and has led to a drop in the value of Israel’s currency, the shekel.
In response to the protests, some members of the military have expressed their opposition by refusing to volunteer for service. 300 reservists from the military’s elite cyber warfare unit signed a letter stating that they would not report for duty, citing concerns about the government’s actions. Fighter pilots and members of other elite units have also threatened to stop reporting for duty.
The Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, criticized those who refuse to report for duty, stating that it threatens the country’s security and plays into the hands of its enemies. The head of the country’s national labor union, the Histadrut, threatened a possible general strike that could paralyze the country’s economy if the situation escalates further.
The ongoing protests and opposition to the judicial overhaul have created a tense atmosphere in Israel. The outcome of the upcoming votes on the bill will determine the future direction of the country’s judicial system and could have far-reaching implications for its democracy. As the protests continue, both supporters and opponents of the overhaul plan are closely watching the developments.