“Netanyahu is tearing the country apart” – tense situation in Israel in 8 points EU tightens sanctions against Iranian drone industry

Israel has been going through a new intifada since the beginning of the year. And one of its own citizens. At least that’s how New York Times journalist Thomas Friedman describes it. The reason for this is a planned judicial reform by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Bibi). Critics see the separation of powers and thus democracy in danger. Some even warn of the creeping introduction of a dictatorship.

Due to violent protests, the vote on the reform from late March has been postponed to July. Bibi is still convinced of his controversial project, which he says would “strengthen democracy”. With this statement, he fueled renewed protests in the country, some of which ended violently.

What you want to know about the current situation in Israel:

Netanyahu’s plan

Netanyahu’s government is deliberately seeking to weaken the country’s highest court. According to her, the independent judiciary has too much influence on political decisions. A major law from the project is expected to be passed early next week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday defended his government’s plans to weaken the judiciary. Netanyahu stressed that efforts are still being made to reach agreement on the bill. He left open what these efforts look like.

It is then no longer possible for the Supreme Court to judge decisions by the government or individual ministers as ‘inappropriate’. Critics feared arbitrary firings of key positions in violation of government policy.

The vote on the reform is expected to take place on Monday at the earliest.

background of the reform

The State of Israel has no written constitution and is instead based on a set of fundamental laws. Therefore, the Supreme Court is of particular importance in upholding the rule of law and human rights.

If the law were passed, the Supreme Court would no longer be able to judge decisions made by the government or individual ministers as “improper”. Earlier this year, Netanyahu was forced to fire his interior minister after judges deemed his appointment “inappropriate” because of his criminal past.

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.

Opposition leader Jair Lapid said on Twitter: “Tonight we saw a head of government tearing the country apart instead of uniting it. He lies instead of telling the truth.”

How Netanyahu justifies his plan

In his speech, the conservative head of government dismissed the fear of a creeping dictatorship as “absurd”. According to Netanyahu, the law would even strengthen democracy. Changes to the legal text are still possible.

However, critics consider this unlikely. Any change would have to be approved again by the Judiciary Commission. The law would probably not be able to pass before the start of the break at the end of July, as the government is aiming for.

Warning from the US

With his speech, Netanyahu defied US President Joe Binden’s call not to rush plans. “Finding consensus on controversial policy areas means taking the time it takes,” Biden said in an interview with the New York Times newspaper. That is essential for big changes, says Israel’s important ally.

pressure from the military

The pressure on Netanyahu comes mainly from the military. According to Israeli media, more than 1,000 Air Force reservists announced on Friday that they would no longer serve if the law is passed.

More than a thousand doctors also threatened to walk away. They fear that the judicial reform will have negative consequences for the country’s economy, democracy and security, and therefore also for the health system.

Protests are becoming increasingly violent

After the speech, hundreds of people across the country took to the streets for a ‘Night of the Resistance’. In the Mediterranean metropolis of Tel Aviv, demonstrators temporarily blocked a central highway. Objects were set on fire on the road.

Angry protesters also disrupted traffic in other cities. Police used water cannon and mounted officers to disperse the crowd. According to media reports, there were violent clashes between the police and the demonstrators. More than a dozen people were arrested.

March on Jerusalem

To demonstrate against Netanyahu’s plans, dozens of people began a march from Tel Aviv to the holy city of Jerusalem on Tuesday night. More than 10,000 people took part in the march, according to the organizing committee. On Saturday, the parliament wants to reach Jerusalem.

We will arrive in Jerusalem on Saturday evening and set up tents around the Knesset, a protester told AFP. He further says:

Scheduled demos and counter demos

Further rallies and protests by opponents of the judiciary restructuring have been announced for the weekend. Supporters are also planning a demonstration in Tel Aviv on Sunday.

(cst, with material from sda and dpa)