Tens of thousands have again demonstrated in Israel for or against the planned judicial reform – now a decisive vote could take place. But surprises cannot be ruled out.
The debate, scheduled for 36 hours, began relatively soberly: Simcha Rothman from the Party of Religious Zionism and the driving force of judicial reform simply asked for approval: “I call on the members of the Knesset to pass the bill in the second and third readings and to reject the objections,” he said. “This will restore democracy in the State of Israel.”
His last sentence is vigorously contradicted by opponents of the reform. The aim of the judicial reform is to limit the powers of the Supreme Court in favor of the government. If this part is passed, the court should no longer be able to reject decisions by the cabinet or ministers as “inappropriate”. The votes after the second and third reading are likely to drag on into Monday evening.
But the opponents of the reform are not giving up – and opposition leader Yair Lapid also used the debate to take the government to court again:
The Israeli government has launched a war of attrition against the citizens of Israel. She had to realize that you can’t wear us down. We don’t give up on our children’s future. This government wants to turn us into Hungary and Poland. We are neither Hungarians nor Poles, nor will we be. These are countries that have not been democratic for much of their history. Israel is a country that was born a democracy and whose citizens have a democratic instinct.
Also rally of supporters of the reform
But the advocates of the reform were also on the streets. Tens of thousands gathered in Tel Aviv that evening, many in buses from settlements in the occupied West Bank. Chants could be heard: the people are demanding judicial reform. Ronel, from near Tel Aviv, a secular government supporter, says why he’s here:
Now the government wants to exercise its power — and implement the changes it has promised voters. We think it’s very important to support the government and say: We gave you our votes to govern. Because that’s how democracy works. And if we just give up, then we have anarchy and we don’t move forward.
The big demonstration of the opponents of the reform took place in Jerusalem, in the immediate vicinity of the Knesset. Udi, a former pilot, had also come there. More than 11,000 reservists have announced that they will no longer be on duty if the reform is passed. This is considered a problem for Israel’s security.
“We want to remain a democracy, no matter what happens,” says Udi. “My soldier friends are serious – this goes through the entire army. We have no other choice. We are democrats, we don’t want a dictatorship. And we will fight to victory. We are not afraid, not of the police, of anyone. Because we are brave and say: We want a democracy.”
“A fateful Day”
Reuven Rivlin, actually a party friend of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s President until two years ago, also made an appearance at the major rally in Jerusalem:
“Today is a fateful day. Our task is to see if we can save our wonderful country in the next 24 hours. 120 members of the Knesset cannot suddenly come and announce that the State of Israel is no longer democratic. Israel was established as a Jewish and democratic state. Neither less Jewish than democratic nor less democratic than Jewish.”
Benjamin Netanyahu is also expected back in the Knesset after a short-term implantation of a pacemaker. So far he seems determined to get the reform through Parliament. But surprises in the next few hours cannot be ruled out.