Israeli government succumbs to protests and backs down on controversial judicial reform proposal

Israel’s national security minister announced on Monday that the country’s controversial judicial reform proposal has been put on hold for several weeks. The measure represents a retreat by the coalition government led by Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu in the face of massive protests across the country.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, a partner in the Prime Minister’s coalition government, said he agreed with the suspension of the law until the summer session of parliament (Knesset), scheduled for April 30.

The minister also indicated that this pause will allow the government to find a compromise with the opposition, a measure that could possibly stop the protests affecting various areas of activity.

At Israel’s main Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, planes remain on the ground due to strikes affecting various areas of work in the Jewish state. Unrest in the country interferes with traffic at the airport of the former capital, which leaves Israel with little to no international air traffic.

The military is also against judicial reform

The protests on the streets of Israel have also spread to the country’s powerful armed forces, especially elite units and numerous reservists. Hundreds of soldiers threatened to revolt if the reform plan was carried out. In an unprecedented initiative, several military officials issued a statement saying they were “not ready to serve a dictatorial regime.”

Recall that this Sunday, the Minister of Defense was dismissed after publicly declaring his disagreement with judicial reform. Yoav Gallant called these changes an “immediate threat” to the security of the State of Israel.

Supreme autonomy in question

The reform of the Israeli judiciary calls into question, among other things, the autonomy of the Supreme Court.

This Sunday alone, 650,000 people took to the streets to protest against the reform, but it is not only those opposed to the measure who are demonstrating.
A counter-protest organized by right-wing reform groups also took to the streets this Monday. Two opposing groups on the streets put the Israeli police on high alert.

“Today we are no longer silent. Today is the day the right wakes up. Spread the word,” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on his official Twitter account, where he posted information about the counter-protest. .

Clashes between police and protesters

According to the newspaper, 38 people were detained in Tel Aviv during the day. Haaretz. The Israeli authorities had to resort to stun grenades and water cannons to disperse demonstrators who had gathered in downtown Tel Aviv shortly after midnight. Protesters tried to block the Ayalon Highway.

Two people were injured in the incidents. A policeman on horseback fell on a man, losing control of the animal, another man was hit by a stun grenade.

Far-right activists also surrounded and attacked a Palestinian taxi driver in Jerusalem. The driver still tried to run away, but ended up being chased.