Anti-government protest: Hundreds of thousands of Israelis demonstrate in Tel Aviv

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The protests have been going on for 38 weeks. A large banner with a red background carried by demonstrators in Tel Aviv read: “Dictator on the run” next to the photo of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The head of government is currently in the US. There too, his visit was accompanied by protests against his government’s controversial reform of the justice system.

In late July, the parliament in Jerusalem approved a first amendment to the judicial reform proposed by the government, despite massive opposition. This deprives the Supreme Court of the ability to take action against ‘inappropriate’ decisions by the government, the Prime Minister or individual ministers.

Critics view the government’s actions as a threat to Israeli democracy. However, Netanyahu’s government argues that the court in Israel is too powerful and simply wants to restore the balance. Negotiations for a compromise have so far been unsuccessful.

The Supreme Court is hearing eight petitions against the controversial change in the law. In an interview with the American broadcaster CNN on Friday evening (local time), Netanyahu again did not want to give a clear answer to the question of whether he would respect a court ruling against the change in the law. If his government does not do this, there are fears of a national crisis. Netanyahu told CNN: “I believe that we must adhere to the rulings of the Supreme Court and that the Supreme Court must adhere to the basic laws that parliament passes.”

(SDA)

Source: Blick