Ahead of the 25th anniversary of Israel’s 75th anniversary, hundreds of thousands of people across the country staged weekend protests against the government’s judicial reform plan on the 22nd (local time), demanding that Netanyahu’s cabinet’s policy of undermining the judiciary be reversed.
This large-scale protest, which has been taking place every Saturday since the beginning of this year, has expanded and strengthened ahead of the National Foundation Day on the 25th. In commemoration of the founding of Israel in 1948, Israel has held a big event emphasizing national unity every year, but this time, it is facing a crisis with fierce anti-government protests that have never been seen since the founding of the country.
Israelis are outraged by the Netanyahu government’s push for reforms that undermine the authority of the judiciary, such as making it possible to easily overturn Supreme Court decisions with a parliamentary majority, as an attack on the democratic system that weakens the judiciary and undermines Israel’s separation of powers. are doing
In the city of Tel Aviv, where the largest protests have continued, Sheila Katz, president of the Jewish Women’s National Committee, said, “This is a protest against the crisis of democracy as well as the government’s so-called judicial reform. This is because the sacred right of the judiciary, independent of politics, must be preserved in order to protect the basic rights of all citizens,” he told The Associated Press.
On the weekend ahead of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the country, in Tel Aviv, even the families of the fallen in the Israeli army came out and held a candlelight vigil. On the flag they held, it was written, “We will defend this country for which you gave your life until the end.”
Protesters took to the streets with banners celebrating the 75th anniversary and holding signs with a photo of Netanyahu’s face overlaid with the words “Crime Minister”.
Not only did the protests take place in various parts of Israel, but members from all walks of life, including the military, businessmen, civil servants, and union members, mobilized and took to the streets. Reserve army commanders said they would not respond to the call from the state, and unions warned of a general strike.
Even US President Joe Biden, Israel’s most important ally, openly criticized Netanyahu’s judicial reform proposal and warned him that “we will not be able to continue on this path.”
Protests by angry crowds have nearly paralyzed the economy of Israel’s major cities and brought all activity to a standstill over the past month. Protesters continued their protests calling for the abolition of the judicial reforms, even though Netanyahu temporarily halted the enforcement of judicial reforms in order to find a compromise.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid denounced Netanyahu’s government, saying, “Before you go to the streets, the disaster has already begun,” speaking at a rally in Hod Hasharon near Tel Aviv on the 22nd.
Protesters filled the streets and continued marching like waves, chanting against Netanyahu’s judicial reforms and calling for their complete repeal.
Netanyahu’s judicial reforms are outraged by the fact that he was accused of corruption and announced while the trial was in progress, and that the government with the worst far-right cabinet in history seized the power to appoint judges and allowed a ruling parliament to overturn Supreme Court rulings. evoked
[텔아비브( 이스라엘)= AP/뉴시스]
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.