Middle East: Israel: Hundreds of thousands of people protest against the government

Middle East
Israel: Hundreds of thousands of people protest against government

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Tel Aviv. Demonstrations were also planned in other cities. photo

© Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

The new right-wing religious Israeli government is controversial in the country. Many are particularly concerned about their intention to specifically weaken the judicial system. Once again there are mass protests.

More than 100,000 people have again protested in Tel Aviv against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government. The demonstrators gathered for the third Saturday night in a row at several locations in the center of the Israeli coastal city. Among other things, they waved Israeli flags. Posters read “Stop the end of democracy” or pictures of Netanyahu with the words “Criminals”.

Ex-Prime Minister Jair Lapid also attended the rally. According to media reports, around a thousand police officers were on duty. It was the largest demonstration to date against the new government, which was sworn in at the end of December. Thousands of people also took to the streets in Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheba.

The protest was primarily directed against the government’s intention to deliberately weaken the country’s judicial system. According to the plans of Justice Minister Jariv Levin, for example, a majority in parliament should be able to pass a law even if the Supreme Court considers it to be in violation of the Basic Law. Levin also wants to change the composition of the panel that appoints judges. The far-reaching changes could also play into Netanyahu’s hands in his ongoing corruption trial.

This week’s protests were fueled by a far-reaching ruling by the Supreme Court. The judges ruled on Wednesday that Israel’s interior and health minister, Arie Deri, should not remain in office. The judges justified their judgment with the repeated conviction of Deri. They also stated that last year in a court case for tax offenses he assured that he would withdraw from politics.

The new coalition had specifically amended a law so that Deri could become a minister despite his conviction. The leader of the strictly religious Shas party is considered a close confidant of Netanyahu. The re-elected Prime Minister has not yet officially commented on the verdict. It is unclear whether he will oppose this or Deri will be released.

Advocates of the planned judicial reform feel vindicated by the judgment against Deri. For years they have accused the Supreme Court of excessive interference in political decisions.

dpa

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