Nearly two months of angry arguments between supporters and opponents of government plans to radically change the country’s judicial system were set to culminate on Monday as lawmakers prepared a proposed proposal to get part of the controversial package through a first major Knesset hurdle.
Protest organizers have set the stage for a virtual battle royale, declaring Monday a “national day of struggle” and calling for a large rally in front of the Knesset, demonstrations in various cities and other actions they hope will help the Opposition to the government will turn into a fever pitch.
The vote and protests will mark the most fateful day yet for the controversial judicial reform package being pursued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-line government, which would limit the Supreme Court’s ability to overturn certain Knesset or government decisions and Giving politicians more say in nominating for the bench.
A wide chorus of criticism, ranging from the judiciary to civil society and business, has warned that the moves will essentially neutralize Israel’s democratic system of checks and balances; weekly protests have drawn 100,000 or more people into the streets, putting pressure on the government to compromise.
Supporters of the overhaul dismiss the criticism, saying the relationship between judges and politicians will be rebalanced in favor of democratically elected lawmakers.
Organizers told police they expect about 30,000 protesters outside the Knesset for a 2pm demonstration, although authorities expect a significantly higher number, Channel 12 News reported. Around 70,000 people took part in a demonstration in Jerusalem a week ago over the same clean-up plan.
In preparation, the police set up a second row of barricades to protect the parliament building, the station said. Hundreds of additional police officers are expected for the protest.
On February 18, 2023, Israelis protested in front of the President’s residence in Jerusalem against the government’s planned reform of the legal system. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Beginning at 4pm, lawmakers will meet in plenary to discuss the first reading of a bill that would give the ruling coalition control of the Judges’ Appointments Committee that selects new Supreme Court justices. If the bill passes, which is widely expected, it will go back to committee before two final votes in the Knesset.
The bill, which would amend a constitution, includes a critical amendment that would prevent the High Court from overturning a constitution and shields the controversial legislation from judicial scrutiny.
The struggle for reform has ignited passions on both sides of the aisle, with both supporters and opponents describing the struggle as an existential struggle for the soul of Israeli democracy.
A session of the Knesset’s Constitutional, Law and Justice Committee a week ago to approve the law on first reading nearly ended in a scuffle, with over a dozen members of the opposition being removed as they chanted “disgrace” and “disgrace.” ‘ shouted.
Chairman of the Knesset’s Constitutional, Law and Justice Committee, MK Simcha Rothman, argues during a committee hearing on February 13, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
In a statement, organizers of the protests said that “with the passage of the Dictator Law, the protests will increase,” Channel 12 News reported.
Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai appeared on television on Saturday to urge Israelis to quell bombastic or inflammatory rhetoric.
“The situation we find ourselves in keeps me up at night. We are on a steep slope, full of inflammatory arguments, of people writing things without considering the impact they may have on the other side,” Shabtai told Channel 12 News. “This is an opportunity to tell everyone to breathe, calm down, discuss and not get violent in word or action.”
Demonstrators gather in Tel Aviv on February 18, 2023 to protest the Israeli government’s overhaul of the justice system. (AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)
The main protest will be followed by a candlelight march from Agranat Square, with nearby streets expected to be closed. The organizers have asked opponents of the bill to take part in other activities, such as B. Protests in front of schools between 8am and 10am and flag marches at various locations across the country at 10am. Large-scale protests are also planned in Tel Aviv and elsewhere.
Despite the large number of people coming to the capital, Transport Minister Miri Regev has declined to increase train services to Jerusalem for the second week.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid slammed the decision in a tweet late Sunday, predicting crowded conditions “could end in mass disaster.”
Transport Minister Miri Regev at a ceremony for electric buses in Bnei Brak, February 19, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
In another setback to the protests, the leader of the powerful Histadrut union said last week that it would not go on strike out of solidarity with Monday’s protests, but would call on the opposing sides to hold compromise talks.
On Sunday, President Isaac Herzog said he believed a compromise deal on the judicial review could be reached within days after discussions with various officials involved.
“It is clear from all my discussions that, based on the principles that I presented last week, it is possible to reach agreements in a relatively short period of time,” he said.
However, Herzog’s effort is largely a thought experiment, with both coalition and opposition balking at negotiation while blaming each other for an unwillingness to negotiate.
President Isaac Herzog speaks at a Bible study as part of the 929 initiative at the President’s residence in Jerusalem, February 19, 2023. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)
Lapid has called for the legislation to be suspended for 60 days as a condition for talks – a request the coalition has rejected.
“We have no intention of stopping. All talks must take place without preconditions,” a Likud source was quoted as saying to Ynet News on Sunday.
Nonetheless, foreign allies fear the moves could leave minority rights vulnerable, and warnings from the business community that the turmoil could worsen Israel’s investment environment have added pressure on the government to start talks and water down plans.
On Saturday, Justice Minister Yariv Levin dismissed reports claiming he had been at odds with Netanyahu, who was said to be pushing for more moderate judicial changes.
Levin told Channel 13 that the reports were “ridiculous fake news”.
Demonstrators carry a massive Declaration of Independence during a rally in Tel Aviv to protest government plans to overhaul the judiciary on February 18, 2023. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
While the coalition agreed to postpone some parts of its judiciary overhaul plans, it is pushing ahead with other sections and related legislation, including a law allowing Shas chief Aryeh Deri, despite a tax offense conviction and a law proposed by Rothman serving as a minister prevents the court from repealing Knesset laws.
Since 1997, the High Court of Justice has repealed or amended 22 laws, mostly on the grounds that they ran counter to the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty.
Rothman’s bill would only allow the court to strike down laws outside of the Basic Law if all 15 judges agree to do so.
Chairman of the Knesset’s Constitutional, Law and Justice Committee MK Simcha Rothman and Justice Minister Yariv Levin shake hands at a hearing of the committee on January 11, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Levin said on Saturday that as the bills pass through the Knesset, they will naturally be subject to public debate and amendments. “What will end up in the Knesset will not be what I proposed,” he said.
“I have made a suggestion that I think fit to be discussed. I am willing to meet with Lapid and [National Unity party chair Benny] Whole tonight. I think we need to sit down and talk. What’s the point of making conditions to speak?” asked Levin.
Likud MK David Bitan on Saturday insisted the parties would eventually find common ground on the issue.
“Of course it will end with a compromise – 100 per cent,” he told Channel 12, adding: “It’s our responsibility to negotiate.”