Netanyahu’s judicial reform in Israel poses a major crisis

International – “democracy” And “Freedom”, they chant. In Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Haifa, thousands of Israelis have been protesting since the start of the year against the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, the most right-wing prime minister in the country’s history.

From Sunday to Monday night, March 27, scores of people gathered on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv, after the head of government fired his defense minister, asking him to suspend a controversial speech on justice at the center of the protests. A few hours later, the head of the largest trade union center, A “General Strike” Immediately.

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A few days ago, Benjamin Netanyahu, leaving for an official visit to Rome, had to reach Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv by helicopter because roads were blocked by hundreds of cars. The protests forced US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to cut short his trip to Israel in early March. “Freedom of expression is not an open door to anarchy and should not disrupt the lives of citizens”, then National Defense Minister, ultranationalist Itamar Ben Gvir, a far-right and one of the government’s most controversial figures, responded. “ Blocking major traffic axes is prohibited.warned that

Two discharges: one “catastrophe” or A “solution”

These monster demonstrations were specifically aimed at judicial reform carried out by the administration. It would allow the prime minister to appoint judges and parliament to overturn decisions made by the Supreme Court with a simple majority. Its opponents believe they are witnessing a real affront to democracy.

For its part, the government asserts that reform is necessary to restore the balance of power between elected officials and the judiciary. Independent »but no” almighty”, in the words of Benjamin Netanyahu, accuses the Supreme Court of politicization. An irony of history: As the prime minister has been prosecuted on corruption charges in several cases, he can use his reforms to overturn a verdict that could condemn him.

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Jack Gus/AFP

Israelis demonstrate against judicial reform sought by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in Tel Aviv on March 9, 2023.

Even Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who is usually limited to a representative role, has already intervened on several occasions to express his opposition to the law. On Monday morning, he again called the government ” Stop immediately » Legislative process. ” Last night we saw some really tough scenes. The entire nation is deeply concerned. Our security, our economy and our society are all at risk “, he wrote. A few days ago, he called the text “ A threat to the foundations of democracy”.

Allottees join the protest

According to him, there are only two ways out of this political crisis: a “catastrophe” or A “solution”. At any rate, this time, the crisis is stuck. On March 1, police used force with stun grenades and water cannons to disperse protesters in Tel Aviv, the first since January, the agency said. Associated Press. A Reuters video shows high tensions between police on horseback in the face of angry crowds in the city bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

The same day, Sara Netanyahu, the prime minister’s wife, was kicked out of a hair salon where demonstrators had gathered. In the evening, the head of government posted a photo of him hugging his wife with a sentence: “Anarchy must end. It can be fatal.”

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Earlier in March there was a new breakthrough. 37 of the 40 elite pilots of the Air Force’s 69th Squadron were threatened not to participate in mandatory training. In a letter published in the media, the strikers have explained that they do not want to work A totalitarian regime. It is reported that they finally agreed to suspend their boycott and participate in a discussion with their commanders BBC.

In a country where military service is compulsory, calls from reservists to refuse to serve have multiplied in recent weeks. 10 former air force chiefs asked Benjamin Netanyahu“Stop and find a solution” For this crisis. “We fear the consequences of this process and the serious and tangible danger it poses to the national security of the State of Israel.”They wrote in an open letter.

A danger“Total Anarchy”

The head of government responded to these insults in 1967 with a black-and-white identification photo from his time in the army. “When bookings are called, we always come. We are one nation”He wrote along with this shot.

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After nearly three months of protest, the demonstrators and the government have each camped out in their positions. In a March editorial in the magazine Ha’aretz and broadcast by International mail, Political journalist Anshel Pfeffer tried to predict the continuation of this crisis with different scenarios, and he was not optimistic. Scene one shows that the reform passes despite opposition from the streets “But Israel risks being permanently divided, with catastrophic consequences in the future. »

Or, he continues, concessions are made by the government, but not every side is happy and protests mount. In the face of international condemnation, especially from the US, the government can buy time by taking a break. Defense Minister Lloyd Austin recalled during his whirlwind tour the importance of a “literally. “Independent Judiciary”.

Scenario Four: The Supreme Court rejects the reform and Binyamin Netanyahu is forced out of office due to his court cases. “Israel has no real constitution, no manual for what happens next. […]. In other words, it would be total anarchy. Anshel Pfeffer warns.

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Finally, the economic crisis with the flight of journalistic institutions or even a third intifada in this tense environment has increased violence between the most radical Israeli settlers and the Palestinians since the far right came to power. Are we heading towards a “catastrophe” ?

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