Israel: Demonstration against judicial reform in front of Parliament in Jerusalem

Thousands of Israelis protested in front of the parliament in Jerusalem against the country’s planned judicial reform. They waved Israeli flags and held up protest signs. “We’re saving democracy,” read one of them. Further protests erupted across the country. Members of many professions took part in a strike.

The Knesset’s Judiciary Committee today approved part of the controversial reform. A total of three readings in Parliament are required for a change in the law. During the debate in the committee there were tumultuous scenes. Opposition members loudly protested, jumping over tables and shouting “shame, shame, shame!” over and over again. Shortly thereafter, they were dragged out of the room by folders. A deputy from the opposition party Israel Beitenu burst into tears over the situation.

Tens of thousands of Israelis have been demonstrating for weeks against Benjamin Netanyahu’s government’s plan to deliberately weaken the Supreme Court. The aim of the reform is to give Parliament the power to overrule Supreme Court decisions by a simple majority. Politicians should also be given more influence in the appointment of judges. Critics see this as a threat to the democratic separation of powers. The right-wing religious government, on the other hand, argues that the Supreme Court is currently exercising too much political influence.

In view of the extreme tensions between the two camps, President Izchak Herzog warned of a constitutional and social collapse in Israel in a speech on Sunday evening. “We are just moments away from a clash, maybe even a violent one.” He called for a dialogue between both sides and a compromise.