What is behind the unprecedented demonstrations in Israel? | questions and answers
3 min read
The actions that sparked the most memorable protests in the State of Israel are called “judicial reform” by the government or “judicial coup” by some media and the opposition, because they affect the democratic balance in Israel.
What is “judicial reform” or “judicial coup”?
The government of Israel, which brings together the ultra-right nationalist parties with the conservative Likud party and the ultra-Orthodox parties, has proposed several measures to change the judicial system.
The first is to change the way Supreme Court justices are chosen — they will no longer be chosen by a mixed panel of nine members, including three justices, two attorneys’ representatives and four politicians, and will only be appointed by the government.
Another is the end of the Supreme Court’s power to declare laws inconsistent with the Basic Laws of Israel, which serve as a kind of basic law because the country does not have a constitution. Parliament can, by a simple majority vote (61 out of 120 deputies), overturn a law by the Supreme Court.
Is it related to the case against Benjamin Netanyahu?
Yes and no. Many parties in Israel have long advocated a shift in the balance of power – the proposal of the justice minister from another Netanyahu coalition, Ayelet Shaked, led to an election advertisement for the perfume of “fascism” (as critics dubbed her reform proposal). There is a sector that sees the court as overly liberal and “hyperactive”.
But Benjamin Netanyahu, who is in the unprecedented position of being a prime minister accused of serious crimes such as corruption, signed an agreement pledging not to interfere with the justice system when he took office.
Despite this, the House of Representatives approved, last week, a law that ends the possibility of dismissing the prime minister by the judiciary. Only the majority of government ministers can do so, declaring themselves unfit for physical or psychological reasons (or the person holding the position).
Who feels the danger of these changes?
The changes are seen as the end of the protections the Supreme Council gave to less powerful groups, such as women and minorities. Supreme Court decisions have forced governments to move forward, for example with regard to the presence of women in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF, as the armed forces are called) or the rights of people seeking asylum in Israel, overturning draconian laws that restricted this Right. for refuge.
Who else against?
Islah succeeded in bringing together a wide range of sectors in the opposition. Because it risks being a problem for democracy, it has consequences for business, a series of investors pull capital out of the country, the currency depreciates and the stock market suffers. Many reservists also feared serving a regime that was no longer democratic, in a country that relied so heavily on reservists for its defence, and warned their commanders that they would not hesitate in the line of duty.
Outside of Israel, the United States, the country’s main international ally, has warned against measures that could affect democracy – with possible implications for supporting measures, for example, against Iran. Netanyahu heard in the capitals he visited, such as Berlin or London, that the heads of government were worried about his plans.
How big is the protest?
The protest movement, which lasted more than ten weeks, intensified after the dismissal of the Minister of Defense for his criticism of reform. They include from Banks to Shopping Malls, Universities, Schools, Startup Nation Association and even Diplomatic Corps. Ben Gurion Airport was at a standstill, as were the ports of Haifa and Ashdod. sCandidates and Employers Alliance stop today that yDescribed as “the greatest in the history of Israel”.
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