On “Day of Resistance” thousands of people took to the streets in Israel to demonstrate against the planned judicial reform. Traffic also comes to a standstill. The authorities are on alert.
Thousands of Israelis protested Tuesday’s “Day of Resistance” against the government’s efforts to weaken the judiciary. Rallies and disruptive actions took place across the country. According to media reports, central roads and several train stations in the country were temporarily blocked.
In the center of the coastal city of Tel Aviv, a train stop was closed by the police because of “security concerns”.
Temporarily, train traffic across the country came to a complete standstill. It was initially unclear whether there was a connection with the demonstrations. According to the Israeli railway company, there was a computer malfunction.
The nationwide day of protests began early in the morning. Demonstrators blocked the entrance to the stock exchange and the military headquarters in Tel Aviv. Others called for a general strike to be called outside the headquarters of the largest union in Israel. Occasionally there were violent confrontations between police officers and demonstrators. According to the police, several dozen people were temporarily arrested.
Big rally planned
A large rally was planned for the evening in central Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Israeli President Izchak Herzog was scheduled to meet US President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington. Hundreds also demonstrated in front of the US embassy in Tel Aviv in the afternoon. The organizers are appealing to the US to use its influence and prevent Israel’s government from its controversial plans.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition plans to specifically weaken the country’s independent judiciary. She accuses her of having too much influence on political decisions.
This wants to pass an important part of the comprehensive legislative project by the middle of next week in parliament. The government accuses the judges of interfering too much in political decisions. In the coming week, an important part of the reform to restrict the Supreme Court is to be passed. Critics see the separation of powers and thus democracy in danger. Some even warn against the creeping introduction of a dictatorship.
Source: Stern
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