Status: 02/20/2023 5:10 p.m
In Israel, protests against Prime Minister Netanyahu’s judicial reforms continue. Thousands of people have gathered again in front of Parliament – because that’s where the MPs are discussing the first reading of the law today.
The Israeli government around Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing ahead with the restructuring of the judicial system despite mass protests. The vote on some of the controversial plans is expected in the evening.
Thousands of people gathered in cities like Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa to protest. In the early hours of the morning, demonstrators blocked central roads in the country.
People also gathered in front of the Knesset in Jerusalem. “We are fighting for the future of our children, for the future of our country,” said opposition leader Jair Lapid at a meeting with members of his party in the parliament building. “We have no intention of giving up.”
Netanyahu insists on reform
Netanyahu insisted on the reform and accused the demonstrators of inciting violence. “The people have exercised their right to vote, and the people’s representatives will exercise their right to vote here in the Israeli Knesset. That’s called democracy,” he told his Likud party. The demonstrators would “trample democracy”.
The aim of the controversial judicial reform is to enable Parliament to overturn decisions of the Supreme Court with a simple majority. Politicians should also be given more influence in the appointment of judges.
The government argues the reform seeks to overhaul a judicial system that gives the government’s courts and legal advisers too much say in legislation.
People dressed as characters from the television series “The Handmaid’s Tale” demonstrated in Tel Aviv.
Image: AFP
There were also protests in front of the Knesset in Jerusalem.
Image: EPA
Criticism: Separation of powers is abolished
Critics argue that the reform will eliminate the separation of powers and give the prime minister more power. Israeli President Izchak Herzog called on the government to put legislation on hold and seek a compromise with the opposition.
Tens of thousands of Israelis had recently protested in cities every week, with around 100,000 people gathering in front of the Knesset in the past week alone. The USA, Israel’s most important ally, also warned against the reform.
A total of three readings are required to pass the law, which will probably take several months. However, the first reading and vote is a sign of the coalition’s determination to continue the process that has sparked one of the country’s biggest internal political crises.
No further permits for settlements for the time being
On another topic, however, some calm could return. Netanyahu’s office announced that Israel will no longer issue permits for further settlements in the West Bank in the coming months.
The government has informed the USA that it does not intend to issue any further authorizations in the next few months after the nine settlements that have already been approved. “Israel has notified the US that it will not allow any new settlements beyond the nine already approved in the coming months,” the statement said.
On February 12, Netanyahu’s right-wing government retrospectively approved nine Israeli construction projects that had already been built in the West Bank. The international community considers Israeli settlement construction in the Palestinian territories to be illegal.