Important legislative changes were adopted in Israel. Street demonstrations are expected - thediplomaticaffairs.com

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General Affairs Middle East Politics July 11, 2023

Important legislative changes were adopted in Israel. Street demonstrations are expected

Photo: Reuters

The Knesset (Israeli parliament) approved in a first reading, with the full support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling right-wing coalition, a bill that limits certain powers of the Supreme Court as part of a judicial reform relaunched by the head of government in Israel, which provoked new large-scale protests in Israel on Tuesday, where protesters blocked the main highways. The desire of Netanyahu’s ruling coalition of nationalist and religious parties to overhaul the judiciary has sparked unprecedented protests in the country, raised concerns about Israel’s democratic health among its Western allies, and hurt its economy.

Controlling 64 of the 120 Knesset seats, Netanyahu’s coalition obtained the first of three votes needed for the bill to become law on Monday. The bill seeks to limit the Supreme Court’s power to overturn decisions made by the government, ministers, and elected representatives by declaring them unreasonable. It was returned to the committee for discussion and can be modified before being submitted to the final vote. Critics argue that this control by the judiciary helps prevent corruption and abuse of power, while supporters of the project say the change will facilitate effective governance by limiting the intervention of the courts. “This is not the end of democracy; it strengthens democracy,” Netanyahu said in a video statement late Monday as the Knesset debated the bill. “Even after the amendment, the court’s independence and civil rights in Israel will not be undermined in any way. The court will continue to monitor the legality of the government’s actions and appointments,” Netanyahu said. But his statement was not enough to calm the opponents. Images broadcast by television and other media on Tuesday morning showed crowds of Israelis waving flags and stopping traffic at major intersections and highways in central Israel, in the business centre of Tel Aviv, and near the entrance to Jerusalem. Some were directly on the roads; others launched flares. The police, who said 24 people had been arrested, used water cannons to disperse the protesters, forcibly dragging some of them off the road. Other demonstrations are planned throughout the country on Tuesday, especially at the main Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.

By Sara Colin

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