Amidst mass protests and strikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to pause his controversial judicial reform plans that many believe would have given him influence over the country’s court system. The proposed changes, which have been met with widespread opposition, were seen as a potential threat to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in Israel. The move comes as the country faces not only a global pandemic but also a political crisis, with Netanyahu facing trial on corruption charges and ongoing protests demanding his resignation. This article will delve into the reasons behind the proposed judicial reforms, the reactions from the public, and the impact of Netanyahu’s decision to pause the legislation.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has postponed his plans to weaken the country’s judiciary following mass protests and a general strike. In a televised address on Monday, Mr Netanyahu announced a “timeout” on the controversial legislation until the next parliamentary session in the summer, in order to allow for “real dialogue”.
The proposed judicial overhaul had been met with widespread criticism, with many accusing Mr Netanyahu of seeking to consolidate his own power by undermining the independence of the judiciary. The plans would have given the prime minister greater control over the appointment of judges, and reduced the powers of the Supreme Court.
The postponement of the legislation came after tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Sunday night in spontaneous protests, blocking roads and key intersections across the country. The protests continued on Monday, with 100,000 people gathering outside the Knesset parliament in Jerusalem. Protest leaders vowed to continue the demonstrations until the legislation was dropped.
Mr Netanyahu’s decision was met with cautious optimism by opposition leaders, who expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue, but also voiced concerns about the prime minister’s intentions. Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz, two leading opposition figures, blamed Mr Netanyahu for the crisis, but said they would participate in a dialogue to reach a compromise agreeable to all sides. Mr Lapid insisted that the dialogue be led by President Yitzhak Herzog.
The prime minister’s delay of the legislation followed lengthy negotiations with Itamar Ben-Gvir, head of the far-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Strength) party. Mr Ben-Gvir had threatened to withdraw his support for the coalition government if the judicial overhaul was suspended, but was persuaded to stay by Mr Netanyahu’s promise to complete the legislation by the end of July. The prime minister also agreed to the establishment of a national guard force under Mr Ben-Gvir’s national security ministry.
The protests and general strike had a significant impact on the Israeli economy, with dozens of flights cancelled and ports, factories, shopping malls, banks, and universities all closed down. Hospitals also shifted to an emergency footing. The Histadrut trade union federation, which had launched the general strike, called it off following Mr Netanyahu’s announcement. “We are all worried about Israel’s fate,” said Histadrut chief Arnon Bar-David. “Together we say, enough.”
Despite the postponement of the legislation, there are concerns that the distrust between Mr Netanyahu’s government and the opposition will hinder any progress in the dialogue aimed at finding a compromise. The protests have underlined the deep divisions within Israeli society, with right-wing supporters of the government holding a counter-protest in Jerusalem, accusing those who had taken to the streets in recent months of trying to steal the election.
The postponement of the controversial legislation marks a significant victory for the protesters and opposition leaders, who had condemned the plans as a threat to Israel’s democracy. However, it remains to be seen whether the dialogue between the government and opposition will lead to a compromise agreeable to all sides.
