Left with little choice—as mass protests against his planned reform of Israel’s judiciary threatened to plunge the country into chaos—Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has put the matter on hold until next month.
Massive protests raged in Israel’s capital city Monday, March 27th, as the Israeli leader called on “all the demonstrators in Jerusalem, on the right and the left, to behave responsibly and not to act violently.”
Israeli media and Reuters report that it is yet unclear exactly how Netanyahu’s call for peace and a mere postponement of the bill would appease protestors.
The bill that ignited fury in the general population would grant parliament more power in picking judges, a move much criticized by detractors for its supposed anti-democratic nature.
Reportedly, some members of Netanyahu’s rightist government had threatened to resign over any concessions, whether as amendments or postponements. Some coalition partners begrudgingly chose postponement, while others—such as the ethno-nationalist Jewish Power (Otzma Yehudit) party, a crucial coalition partner within the government, and which is headed by Ben-Gvir—initially did not want the law delayed at all.
The planned reforms have been the catalyst of major demonstrations for months now, leaving Israel a deeply divided nation. Opponents warn that, by sacrificing the independent judiciary, Netanyahu’s government seeks to increase its power, as it would allow parliament to have more say in the appointment of judges. Supporters of the bill say it’s essential for counteracting ‘activist judges.’
Things came to a head Sunday, March 26th, when mass protests erupted following Netanyahu’s sacking of his defense minister, Yoav Gallant. Gallant acquired Netanyahu’s disfavor when, in a televised speech, he called for a one-month pause in the government’s controversial judicial reform.
The discord it caused was made all the more acute as the number of security forces refusing to align themselves against the protesters kept mounting, posing a direct threat to Israel’s national security, which made Gallant reconsider the wisdom of pursuing the bill’s ratification.
The move was promptly answered by Netanyahu, who relieved him from his duties.
The incident caused hundreds of thousands of Israelis to take to the streets at an estimated 150 locations across the country. Demonstrators blocked roads and intersections at various locations, while protests continued throughout the night. Sporadic riots broke out, to which police responded with water cannons and even charges while on horseback.
In Jerusalem, thousands of Israelis protested in front of the building of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Elsewhere in the city, protesters blocked a road near Netanyahu’s residence, but it is not clear whether the politician was there.
In addition, flights from Ben Gurion airport were grounded and seaports, banks, hospitals, and medical services all over the country were also enlisted in a planned general strike to stop the judicial overhaul from going ahead. Following news of the bill’s postponement, the strike has, however, been canceled.
The situation remains highly volatile, and the army remains on high alert.
In the wake of Gallant’s resignation, Asaf Zamir, the Consul General of Israel in New York, tweeted out his resignation letter. As the top diplomat believed it was his duty “to ensure that Israel remains a beacon of democracy and freedom in the world,” he could no longer continue representing the current government.
While his function is largely a ceremonial one, President Isaac Herzog on Monday called upon the government “to stop the legislative process immediately,” as it was “not a political moment,” but one for “leadership and responsibility.”
On Sunday, the Biden administration, to which Israel is an important ally in the region and therefore wants its stability ensured, said it was watching the situation there with “concern.”
A statement from the U.S. National Security Council said that “Democratic societies are strengthened by checks and balances, and fundamental changes to a democratic system should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support.”
