Prime Minister Netanyahu can no longer withstand the force of the protests: The judicial reform appears to be on hold for now. A key element was due to be passed this week.
In bad stories, you often read the phrase that "events are unfolding rapidly." But this phrase perfectly describes what happened in Israel over the weekend and at the beginning of the week. Throughout this historic Monday, strikes paralyzed the entire country, and protesters took to the streets in many cities. It was announced that morning that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) now intends to halt the judicial reform.
The speech was scheduled for 10 a.m. local time. However, internal strife apparently delayed the plan. Political observers and Israelis waited hour after hour for new developments. A heated argument reportedly broke out among the coalition leaders. Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (Otzma Yehudit) is said to have shouted at Netanyahu during the discussion and threatened to resign.
The government briefly survived a no-confidence vote in the Knesset by a vote of 59 to 53; the current governing parties together hold 64 Knesset seats. Then the "discussions" within the government continued. Around 4 p.m. local time, government sources reported that Netanyahu had informed the White House of the halt to the judicial reform.
Outrage over dismissal
For weeks, tens of thousands of Israelis have been regularly taking to the streets to protest the judicial reform. This Saturday evening, however, almost 200,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv alone to protest. The reason: A crucial week is approaching for the judicial reform. Among other things, a key element was to be passed: the question of how judges will be appointed in the future. As early as Friday, the organizations had announced a "week of paralysis" for this week.
Also on Saturday evening, a bombshell dropped: Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (Likud) demanded that the legislation on judicial reform be suspended. Many reservists had already announced they would no longer report for duty because of the reform. Gallant saw Israel's security as being at risk.
Netanyahu was in London at the time. Loud protests also took place there, including outside his hotel. The fact that he allegedly dined at a non-kosher restaurant during his visit became a minor detail in light of the overall situation. He returned to the country on Sunday. That evening, he did what many expected: he dismissed Gallant. The government office announced the move in a brief, terse statement.
General strike called
In response to this dismissal, a spontaneous protest erupted in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening, which again turned into a mass gathering. Demonstrators blocked the Ayalon Expressway, the country's main traffic artery, for hours.
On Monday morning, President Yitzhak Herzog addressed the nation. Referring to the protests, he spoke of "difficult scenes" and demanded a halt to the reform. He explicitly addressed all political leaders, both in the government and the opposition: "Finally come to your senses. This is not a political moment, but a moment for leadership and responsibility."
Paralyzed country
Also on Monday morning, the Histadrut trade union federation called for a general strike starting at noon. Histadrut leader Arnon Bar-David also demanded a halt to the judicial reforms. "We are all joining forces and shutting down the State of Israel," he said. This would affect shopping malls, kindergartens, and factories, as well as the healthcare sector. The strike would end as soon as a halt to the reforms was announced. The Association of Regional Councils joined the strike, and banks also closed their doors at noon.
The union representing employees at Ben Gurion Airport also went on strike, resulting in no flights departing on Monday morning. Israeli employees at Berlin airport also went on strike, as reported by the news site "Yediot Aharonot." They are responsible for security checks on behalf of various airlines.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and other educational institutions suspended classes. The Jewish Agency, an immigration organization, also joined the calls for a halt to the reform on Monday. Meanwhile, protesters again blocked the Ayalon Highway near Tel Aviv. Numerous demonstrators also gathered in Jerusalem's government district, as well as in Haifa.
Bills released for further voting
On Sunday and Monday, the legislative process continued for the time being. The Knesset's Constitutional Committee cleared a key element of the judicial reform for possible passage in plenary session, the very element against which the current protests are directed: the law on the appointment of judges. This law changes the composition of the relevant appointing body in favor of the incumbent government. With the committee's clearance, the Knesset could then pass the law in its final readings.
On Sunday, the relevant committee approved the proposal for the so-called "Second Deri Law." This amendment to the Basic Law, which governs the government, prohibits the Supreme Court from challenging the appointment of ministers. It is named after Arye Deri, the chairman of the Shas (Islamic State Security Council). Netanyahu had appointed him Minister of Health and Interior. Due to his criminal past, the judges found the appointment "extremely inappropriate.".
Netanyahu subsequently dismissed Deri for the time being. However, the law could allow Deri to regain his ministerial posts. In light of these developments, Deri himself requested on Monday that further voting on the bill be suspended.
Likud largely closed to the outside world
The dismissed defense minister found little support within Likud, at least publicly. Only former Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein endorsed his demand. Edelstein had previously boycotted important votes on judicial reform.
The think tank "Kohelet Forum," which essentially drafted the judicial reform, has also voiced some criticism. Its director, Moshe Koppel, is skeptical of the planned mechanism allowing the Knesset to pass a law with an absolute majority, even if the Supreme Court objects. He called this mechanism "a stupid idea" and said it "should frighten people" at an event for immigrants. (Israelnetz)
