Despite Mass Protests: Judicial Reform in Israel Progresses – Herzog Addresses Congress

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According to media reports, the government plans to convene a special session. The Judiciary Committee is expected to approve the bill on Wednesday and submit it to the Knesset. On Tuesday, after days of deliberation, the committee began voting on several thousand opposition concerns. It is expected that none of the proposed amendments will pass and that the text of the law will then be sent to parliament.

As late as Wednesday evening, tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets against the government’s controversial plan. Dozens of protesters have been arrested across the country, according to media reports early Wednesday morning. The Israel Doctors’ Association announced a two-hour warning strike for tomorrow morning. In addition, according to organizations, more meetings and disruptive actions are planned until a possible vote in parliament. The protest movement includes large segments of Israeli society. The pressure on the government, especially from the army, is increasing enormously.

Herzog delivers a speech to the United States Congress

During a meeting with US President Joe Biden in Washington on Tuesday, Israel’s president sought to calm its main ally. “Israeli democracy is solid, strong and resilient,” Herzog said. At the same time, he described the domestic political situation in Israel as a “crisis” from which he was looking for a way out.

After the meeting, the White House said Biden and Herzog had discussed the need for a “consensus-based approach” to judicial reform. Biden also stressed in the conversation that he still views the two-state solution as the “best path” to a lasting and just peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In addition, Biden considers additional measures necessary to improve the security and economic situation in the West Bank and to prevent terrorist attacks.

Herzog will address the U.S. Congress on Wednesday (5 p.m. CEST). He is the second Israeli president to address Congress after his father, Chaim Herzog. The speech marks the 75th anniversary of the State of Israel. In the evening, Herzog wants to meet US Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House. The sweeping law of the Netanyahu administration is expected to become a problem again.

Controversial plans

With the latest bill, the Supreme Court should no longer be able to judge decisions by the government or individual ministers as “inappropriate”. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled that the appointment of Shas Party leader Arie Deri as interior minister was “inappropriate” because of his criminal past. As a result, Netanyahu had to fire his confidant.

Observers expect that the coalition wants to reverse this with the new law. Critics also fear that opponents of government policy in key positions could be fired arbitrarily.

(SDA)

Source:Blick