demonstrations
Judicial Reform in Israel: Warnings Against Violent Resistance
Tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated for the fifth Saturday night in a row against the country’s judicial reform. photo
© Ilia Yefimovich/dpa
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s right-wing religious government wants to specifically weaken the country’s judicial system. That causes controversy.
In the dispute over judicial reform in Israel, the tone is getting sharper. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized a “growing wave of daily hate speech that transcends borders,” according to his office. He also spoke of a “clear threat to assassinate the head of government of Israel”.
The 73-year-old was referring to the Facebook post by an Israeli reserve colonel. It said, among other things: “If a head of government seizes dictatorial authority, then he is doomed, along with his ministers and henchmen.” The former fighter pilot who led the Israeli Air Force’s attack on Iraq’s nuclear reactor in 1981 later distanced himself from the post. The police nonetheless started an investigation.
For weeks, Israelis have been demonstrating against Netanyahu’s government’s plans to specifically weaken the country’s judicial system. Experts expressly warn that the reform poses a threat to democracy in Israel.
“This is really jeopardizing democracy”
Netanyahu said of the threat against him: “I know there is a debate about what is endangering democracy, but this is not something to debate – this is really endangering democracy.”
In the face of further calls for violent resistance to the reform, the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency, Ronen Bar, announced a “zero tolerance” policy against incitement to violence.
Former Prime Minister Izchak Rabin was shot dead on November 4, 1995 after a peace rally. The killer, a right-wing Jewish fanatic, wanted to prevent further territorial concessions to the Palestinians. Right-wing extremist agitation against the head of government preceded the murder of Rabin. Then-opposition leader Netanyahu was accused of contributing to the political climate at the time that made the assassination possible.