Thousands demonstrate, Israeli reservists escalate their protest against judicial change

TEL AVIV (Reuters) – Protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial reform intensified on Tuesday with demonstrations across the country, and a retired major general in the Israeli Air Force said 161 of the Corps’ reserve officers had pledged to stop working.

Assaf Agmon told Reuters that the officers, who range in ranks from major to brigadier general, had notified the military of their decision within the past three days, and would publish a joint statement — with names omitted — on Wednesday.

Netanyahu’s national-religious alliance to change the justice system and curb some Supreme Court powers has sparked unprecedented protests, hurting the economy and stoking concern about Israel’s democratic health among Western allies.

Some reservists threatened not to respond to summons as part of the protest.

This caused a contrast with a country where the conscripted army, which relied on reserves in wartime and required regular training, had been a non-political issue to circumvent for a long time.

“This is the military’s most impactful protest yet — a huge blow to Air Force readiness,” said Agmon, the protest organizer and former brigadier general with over 75 years in reserve service.

Asked about the Israeli military spokesperson’s confirmation, an army spokesperson declined to comment.

Reuters could not independently verify the identities of the 161 or assess the impact of such a withdrawal on military readiness, given that the Air Force figures are classified.

Agmon described the 161 ROTC as headquarters staff directing Air Force operations. Some also fly as pilots or navigators, he said. Air Force reservists regularly participate in combat operations.

As protesters took to the streets, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called for unity among the ranks. “We cannot live on this land without the IDF,” he said in a speech at a memorial service.

Thousands gather across the country

From the early hours of Tuesday morning, thousands rallied across the country, many waving Israeli flags. Protesters blocked at least six highways, held demonstrations at major train stations during the afternoon rush hour, and stormed the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, tossing counterfeit banknotes as symbols of corruption.

Police officers on horseback deployed water cannons to disperse some of the protesters who had blocked roads during the night. Police said at least 45 people were arrested.

With the prime minister holding a comfortable majority in the Knesset, opponents hope a fresh wave of protests will help scuttle the legislation before a final vote next week.

The government is pushing for a law that would limit the Supreme Court’s ability to overturn government and ministerial decisions or appointments by stripping judges of the power to deem such decisions “unreasonable”.

He aims to pass the law before the Knesset recess on July 30.

Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, which he denies, has defended the proposed changes, vowing to keep “Israel a Jewish and democratic nation-state, free and liberal, enjoying sacred majority rule alongside civil rights.”

In a memorial speech in Jerusalem, he said his government is proceeding in a responsible and measured manner, seeking as broad an agreement as possible, to rebalance the judicial, legislative and executive powers.

Supporters of the changes say the Supreme Court has become too intrusive and that the change will facilitate effective governance.

Opponents say the change would weaken the Supreme Court, which plays a crucial role in protecting civil rights and liberties in a country where there is no constitution and a single-chamber parliament dominated by the government.

Washington urged Netanyahu to seek consensus on judicial reforms.

Additional reporting by Rami Amichai and Maayan Lubel. Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Conor Humphreys, William McLean and Howard Goller

Our standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.