After the Knesset passed a core element of the Israeli government’s judicial reform, mass protests erupted again in the country. Prime Minister Netanyahu defended the result of the vote, which took place without the fuming opposition.
A mixture of resignation spread after Parliament approved an important part of the controversial judicial reform. In the evening, tens of thousands gathered again in many parts of the country to protest – there were also clashes with the police in Tel Aviv.
The organizers of the protests have announced that they intend to continue taking to the streets. Above all, the large Saturday protests, which have brought many hundreds of thousands to the streets for months, are to be continued. Schimal Bressler, one of the most prominent figures in the protest movement, said on Reshet Bet radio station:
It is clear that this is a government that has lost touch with the majority of the population. The State of Israel is run by a very extremist force that is destroying everything that is good here.
The opposition stayed away from the vote
In the afternoon, the Knesset voted 64 to zero in favor of the reform. All opposition MPs stayed away from the vote – before that they had shouted the word that has been heard so often in recent months: Bushar – shame.
A mixture of resignation and anger also reigned among the opposition. Benny Gantz, who is said to have been trying to find a compromise in recent days, spoke of a difficult day. “The State of Israel lost,” said Gantz. “A majority in the Knesset that wanted a compromise has been defeated by extremists who have decided to change our identities. They want to drive us into the abyss of hatred, separate us and incite us against each other.”
Lapid wants to sue the Supreme Court
Yair Lapid, Benjamin Netanyahu’s predecessor as prime minister, spoke of the lawsuit against the law before the Supreme Court. This could lead to a constitutional conflict, since the court would have to deal with a law that aims to weaken it.
This extreme government is now hugging and taking photos in the Chamber to celebrate the moment they caused us to stop being brothers. They celebrate the moment when they managed to throw everything that connects us into the dustbin of history. We saw weakness from Netanyahu today like never before. There is no prime minister in Israel. Netanyahu has become a puppet on strings of extremists and messianists.
Netanyahu’s allies apparently threatened to go along with it breach of coalition
That could explain why Benjamin Netanyahu has resisted the pressure of the past few days and all attempts to get him to back down. Israeli media report concrete threats from its coalition partners to withdraw from the coalition if the reform fails.
Itamar Ben Gvir, the far-right Minister for National Security, said in the evening that this decision was just the beginning. And Netanyahu also recalled in a speech in the evening that the judicial reform is not yet complete.
Netanyahu announces further talks
“Despite everything, we will continue to seek dialogue and an agreement,” said Netanyahu. “We’re not giving up the chance to reach a broad agreement. I’m telling you it’s possible.” In the coming days, the coalition will turn to the opposition with the aim of establishing a dialogue. “We are willing to discuss everything, right now,” Netanyahu said. “We can have the talks during the summer break and reach an agreement that includes everything.”
He had spoken similarly before the current parliamentary decision – only to then bring the law through parliament without major changes. The tens of thousands who took to the streets to protest that night no longer believe Israel’s prime minister.