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After massive protests: judicial reform in Israel is being postponed for the time being

After massive protests: judicial reform in Israel is being postponed for the time being
Tens of thousands of Israelis also demonstrated on Monday in front of the Knesset.
Image: APA/AFP/HAZEM BADER

The protests against the controversial judicial reform, which have been going on for twelve weeks, are forcing Israel’s right-wing religious government to give in for the first time. Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced a postponement on Monday evening. A spokesman said on Monday that he had agreed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to postpone the reform until after the parliament (Knesset) recess at the end of July. In return, a “national guard” will be set up under the leadership of the far-right minister. What this means in concrete terms was initially unclear.

threatened coalition breakup

In Israel, the domestic political crisis had come to a head. On Monday, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party said he wanted to put the reform on hold. Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partner Ben-Gvir opposed it. The government must not “capitulate to anarchy,” he tweeted. A statement by Netanyahu that had been announced for the morning was then postponed at short notice and indefinitely. Media reports said the right-wing religious coalition was about to break up.

Critics see the independence of the judiciary and thus democracy in Israel in danger. Judicial reform would give the government control over the appointment of Supreme Court judges. In addition, the government would be able to overrule court decisions on the basis of a simple parliamentary majority. Protests intensified on Sunday after Netanyahu ousted Defense Minister Joav Gallant. The Likud politician Gallant had said that the divisions in society caused by the reform plans were a threat to national security. President Isaac Herzog, who had already tried to mediate several times, called for Netanyahu to rethink on Monday morning.

Tens of thousands of Israelis also took to the streets on Monday. In Tel Aviv, among other things, demonstrators blocked a central connecting road to Jerusalem. Tens of thousands of people also gathered in front of the parliament there to protest against Gallant’s dismissal and against the judicial reform. Opposition leader Jair Lapid called out to the demonstrators in front of the Knesset that the “liberal camp” would be resurrected. There were also rallies in other cities.

The economy in Israel wants to dissuade the government from the judicial reform with numerous strikes. Takeoffs were suspended at Ben Gurion Airport on Monday. Major seaports such as Haifa and Ashdod, as well as hospitals, announced work stoppages later in the day. The Histadrut trade union has called for a general strike if the reform is not stopped.

Source: Nachrichten

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