Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv against the right-wing government’s proposals to fundamentally reform the legal system on Saturday evening, They alleged that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is attempting to undermine the nation’s democratic institutions. Despite a persistent downpour, the Israeli news media estimated 80,000 attendees by 8:30 p.m. at Habima Square in the city. Thousands more joined demonstrations in Jerusalem and Haifa, reports said.
Netanyahu was propelled back into power by a bloc of once-fringe, far-right partners in the November elections. Just three weeks after taking office, Netanyahu is trying to limit the Supreme Court of Israel’s authority, claiming that it wields too much influence, a BBC report said. The changes include denying the Supreme Court the authority to overturn laws it finds to be unreasonable. Additionally, the government wants to alter the selection process for judges and turn the legal advisors in its departments into political appointees who would not report to the attorney general.
"All of us Arabs and Jews and different various communities inside of Israel demand peace, equality and justice for all."
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 8, 2023
Thousands of people protest against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government ⤵ï¸
🔗: https://t.co/R908XheQut pic.twitter.com/rvLCV9yosd
Despite the government’s denials, critics worry the new administration will use this as an excuse to drop Netanyahu’s ongoing criminal case. Netanyahu is facing charges of bribery, breach of trust, and fraud; allegations which he denies.
According to the plans presented by Justice Minister Yariv Levin earlier this month, the Knesset (parliament) would have the authority to effectively overturn Supreme Court decisions with a simple majority. This might make it possible for the current administration to pass laws without worrying about them being overturned.
About 80,000 people protested in Tel Aviv against the government, in one of the biggest protests in Israel in many years pic.twitter.com/NmH2LujecX
— Guy Elster (@guyelster) January 14, 2023
Critics accuse the action of being a power grab that would reduce judicial independence and oversight while giving politicians greater influence over the selection of judges and government lawyers, reports said.
Many of the protesters carried Israeli flags, the emblem of the contemporary Jewish state, whose liberal democracy they fear is in danger. While some other demonstrators carried signs with ominous warnings about fascism, corruption, and a “coup d’état,” there was a group of young girls, all of whom had their mouths covered in red paint. They wanted the government to know they would not be silent, reports said.
100,000 thousand people protest in #TelAviv against #Netanyahu gov plan to railroad #Israel democracy. pic.twitter.com/alFx8tdmcU
— Dr. Ilan Manor (@Ilan_Manor) January 14, 2023
If the reforms become law, the proposal might make it simpler for the government to pass legislation supporting Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank without having to worry about Supreme Court challenges, multiple outlets reported. Israel has previously made a point of the court’s ability to rule against it.
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