Hundreds of demonstrators blocked access to the Knesset a few hours before the crucial parliamentary vote planned for Israel’s judiciary reform. There were several arrests. The police used water cannons.
In Israel, hundreds of demonstrators blocked the entrances to the parliament building in Jerusalem in the morning. Videos distributed on social networks show how the police used water cannons against the protesters. According to Israeli media reports, members of the “Brothers in Arms” protest movement chained themselves to one another to prevent access to the Knesset area. Firefighters used electric hand saws to remove the protesters.
According to the Haaretz newspaper, one of the leaders of the protest movement against the government’s planned judicial reform, Moshe Radman, was arrested. Several demonstrators were arrested near the parliament building on suspicion of trying to disrupt traffic.
There were also demonstrations in front of the house of Economics and Industry Minister Nir Barkat, during which three people were arrested, according to media reports. Further mass protests in front of the Knesset have been announced for the evening.
In the afternoon, the draft law to abolish the adequacy clause is to be presented to the plenum for the second and third reading. None of the compromise proposals presented so far, including those by President Isaac Herzog and chief union leader Arnnon-Bar David, have so far met with the approval of all those involved.
According to the Haaretz newspaper, leading business figures representing around 150 of the largest companies in Israel, including banks, supermarket and retail chains, have announced a strike for today. Several large high-tech companies said they would join the walkout.
Rivlin warns of civil war
Hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated against the judicial reform in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Sunday evening. According to media reports, there were isolated clashes with the police and several arrests. In a speech to opponents of the reform plans in Jerusalem, former President Reuven Rivlin warned of the danger of a civil war. At the same time, tens of thousands demonstrated in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for judicial reform.
The draft abolition of the adequacy clause is a core element of the judicial reform. It has so far allowed the country’s highest court to judge government decisions as “inappropriate”. It was last used when the Supreme Court in January banned the appointment of the convicted Arieh Deri (Shas party) as interior and health minister.
Netanyahu back in the Knesset
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also expected back in the Knesset today after a short-term implantation of a pacemaker. He has since been released from the hospital. So far he seems determined to get the reform through Parliament.
Proponents of the change in the law argue that the adequacy clause is a highly subjective tool that allows judges wide-ranging political interference. Opponents of the reform project, on the other hand, consider the clause to be essential in the fight against corruption and to protect against arbitrary government decisions.