In a remarkable show of force against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial reform proposal, tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Jerusalem, while hundreds of thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv and other cities. The protest comes as over 100 former security chiefs signed a letter urging Netanyahu to halt the legislation, and thousands of military reservists announced that they would no longer report for duty in protest.
Under scorching heat, the protesters marched into Jerusalem, waving Israeli flags and completing a four-day, 70-kilometer trek from Tel Aviv to the parliament building. The marchers were welcomed by cheering supporters in Jerusalem, where they set up camp in rows of white tents outside the Knesset ahead of Monday’s scheduled vote. Simultaneously, hundreds of thousands flooded the streets of Tel Aviv, as well as other cities like Beersheba, Haifa, and Netanya.
Netanyahu and his far-right allies argue that the judicial overhaul is necessary to rein in the power of unelected judges. However, critics argue that the reforms would undermine the system of checks and balances and lead to authoritarian rule. U.S. President Joe Biden has urged Netanyahu to seek a broad consensus and put a halt to the plan.
The proposed legislation has faced strong opposition from business and medical leaders, and an increasing number of military reservists have pledged to stop reporting for duty if the plan is enacted. Over 10,000 reservists announced their suspension of duty on Saturday, according to the protest group “Brothers in Arms.” The movement gained further support when more than 100 former security chiefs, including retired military commanders, police commissioners, and intelligence agency heads, signed a letter blaming Netanyahu for endangering Israel’s military and calling for a halt to the legislation.
Despite the protests and opposition, senior Cabinet minister Israel Katz of the Likud party stated that the bill would pass on Monday. Protesters fear that the reforms would enable the government to make arbitrary decisions, engage in corruption, and limit the judicial system’s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions.
The grassroots protest movement in Israel has been ongoing for seven months, with this latest demonstration reaching a fever pitch. On Monday, the parliament is expected to vote on the measure that would restrict the Supreme Court’s oversight powers. This includes preventing judges from striking down government decisions as “unreasonable.” Supporters argue that the current standard places too much power in the hands of judges, while critics say it would allow for corruption and arbitrary decision-making.
Alongside these changes, the proposed overhaul also seeks to limit the Supreme Court’s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions and alter the process for selecting judges. Protesters view these reforms as a power grab driven by personal and political motives from Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges, and his partners who want to solidify Israel’s control of the occupied West Bank and maintain draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.
Despite criticism, Netanyahu remains steadfast in his support for the reforms, dismissing accusations that they would undermine Israel’s democratic foundations. However, the growing number of reservists refusing to serve has raised concerns about the country’s security interests. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has called for a delay in the vote due to these concerns, but it remains uncertain if others will join him.
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