The announcement of the plan in January, spearheaded by Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, which includes far-right parties and ultra-Orthodox Jews, sparked one of the country’s largest protests.
Thousands of Israelis participated this Saturday in a new demonstration in Tel Aviv against the controversial government plan to reform the country’s judicial system, considered by its critics as a threat to democracy.
The plan’s announcement in January, led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, which includes far-right parties and ultra-Orthodox Jews, sparked one of the largest protest movements in the country’s history, mobilizing tens of thousands of protesters every year the weeks
According to the government, the reform aims, among other things, at rebalancing powers by reducing the prerogatives of the Federal Supreme Court, which the executive considers politicized, in favor of Parliament. But his detractors believe that with this reform the country runs the risk of paving the way to an anti-liberal or authoritarian drift.
“Democracy, Democracy!”, Shouted this Saturday the protesters who were heading to Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv. “We will not give up until the situation improves. Get off the balcony, the country is collapsing”, they shouted again.
“Despite months of protests, things are not going the way we wanted, because an important part of the reform of the judicial system has been approved. [no parlamento] a few weeks ago,” protester Ben Peleg told AFP.
“But if we keep pushing on the streets, we may still be able to stop these changes,” the 47-year-old doctor hopes.
A first clause of the bill, which limits the possibility for the Supreme Court to invalidate a government decision, was approved by Parliament.
The legislative process is currently on hold due to parliament’s summer vacation, and Netanyahu has vowed to be open to negotiations on further steps.
The protests were supported by political opponents, civil and religious groups, workers and technology workers, peace activists and retired military personnel.
These months of protests, combined with demonstrations in support of the government, have raised fears of deepening divisions in Israeli society.
“Israel is torn apart and we feel we are on the brink of civil war,” Peleg added. “When we take to the streets to protest, we are afraid of those who support the government. This government has to be overthrown.”
Source: Observadora
