Jul 19, 2023 at 00:45Update: 3 hours ago
Thousands of Israelis took to the streets again on Tuesday in protest against a law that limits the independent judiciary. According to a retired brigadier general, 161 reservists have also said they will not report in protest if called up.
The protests started early on Tuesday. Israelis took to the streets across the country. They waved Israeli flags, blocked a number of highways, demonstrated at major train stations during the afternoon rush hour and scattered counterfeit banknotes around the Tel Aviv stock exchange as a symbol of corruption.
Police deployed water cannons and mounted police to disperse protesters who had blocked roads overnight. According to the police, at least 45 people have been arrested.
In Tel Aviv, army veterans formed a chain in front of the army headquarters. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened action against soldiers who protest against orders.
According to retired Brigadier General Asaf Agmon, 161 Air Force reservists have already indicated to the army in the past three days that they will not report to a call-up. Protest organizer Agmon said against Reuters that the reservists will publish a joint statement on this on Wednesday, without revealing their names.
Reuters could not verify the identity of these 161 reservists. That is why the news agency was also unable to find out what the effect of this action on military preparedness could be. An Israeli military spokesman declined to comment. According to Reuters Air Force reservists regularly participate in operations.
Controversial reform plans
Tens to hundreds of thousands of people have demonstrated every week since the law changes were announced in January. The demonstrators see the plans of Netanyahu’s far-right and staunchly religious government as a threat to democracy.
For example, the Israeli parliament – the Knesset – should henceforth approve the appointment of all judges. According to Netanyahu, this is necessary because Supreme Court judges are now interfering too much in political decisions. According to the demonstrators, the Supreme Court plays an important role in protecting (civil) rights, because Israel does not have a constitution.
Netanyahu’s plans are having a negative effect on the economy and raising concerns among Western allies. US President Joe Biden spoke on Tuesday about legal reforms with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Herzog assured Biden that he is determined to find a solution. “Israeli democracy is healthy, strong and resilient,” he said after his meeting with Biden. On Monday, Biden invited Prime Minister Netanyahu for an official visit to Washington at short notice.
2023-07-18 22:45:54
#Thousands #Israelis #protest #controversial #reform #plans
