Amid a wave of mass protests, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday delayed his controversial judicial review plan, saying he wanted to “avoid civil war” by taking time to seek compromises with political opponents.
The announcement appeared to calm some of the tensions that had fueled three tumultuous months of turmoil. But it has failed to address the underlying issues that have polarized the nation, and the anti-government protest movement has vowed to step up its efforts.
In his prime-time speech, Netanyahu, who has previously dismissed calls to delay legislation, struck a more conciliatory tone than in recent speeches. Acknowledging the deep divisions in the country, he said he had pressed the pause button “to prevent a split in the nation”.
“If there is any chance of avoiding civil war through dialogue, as prime minister I will make time for dialogue,” he said. He promised to reach a “broad consensus” during Parliament’s summer session, which begins on April 30.
He spoke after tens of thousands of Israelis protested outside parliament and the country’s largest union launched a nationwide strike in a dramatic escalation of the mass protest movement against his plan.
Anti-government protesters block roads and clash with police during a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government’s plans to overhaul the judiciary
An Israeli protester throws a sign of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu onto a bonfire after clashes broke out during a protest
Netanyahu and his religious and ultra-nationalist allies presented the review in January just days after forming their government, the most far-right in Israel’s history.
The proposal plunged Israel into its worst domestic political crisis in decades. Business leaders, top economists and former security chiefs have all opposed the plan, saying it pushes the country towards autocracy. Fighter pilots and military reservists threatened not to report, and the country’s currency, the shekel, depreciated.
The plan would give Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges, and his allies the final say in the appointment of the country’s judges. It would also give parliament, which is controlled by its allies, the power to overturn Supreme Court decisions and limit the Court’s ability to review laws.
Netanyahu argued that the overhaul was necessary to stop a liberal and too interventionist court of unelected judges. But his critics say the package will damage the country’s system of checks and balances by concentrating power in the hands of Netanyahu’s allies. They also say he has a conflict of interest as a criminal suspect.
Tens of thousands of people, mostly secular middle-class Israelis, regularly joined mass protests against the plan.
Those protests intensified on Sunday night after Netanyahu abruptly fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who urged the prime minister to suspend his plan, citing concerns about harming the Israeli military.
The fire caused a spontaneous outburst of anger that sent tens of thousands of people into the streets in just one hour.
They chanted “the country is on fire” and lit bonfires on Tel Aviv’s main street, shutting down the thoroughfare and many others across the country for hours.
Protesters continued outside the Knesset, or parliament, on Monday, turning the streets around the building and the Supreme Court into a swirling sea of blue-and-white Israeli flags dotted with rainbow Pride banners.
“This is the last chance to stop this transition to dictatorship,” said 68-year-old Matityahu Sperber, who joined a stream of people on their way to the demonstration in front of the Knesset. “I’m here for the fight to the end.”
Israel’s main trade union, the Histadrut, declared a general strike in what it said was the first time it had taken such action on a political issue.
The chaos paralyzed much of the country and threatened to cripple the economy. Departure flights from the main international airport were grounded, leaving tens of thousands of travelers stranded.
Major retail chains and universities closed their doors and the union called on its 800,000 members to stop working in health care, public transport, banking and other sectors.
Diplomats left foreign missions and local governments were expected to close kindergartens and other services. The largest doctors’ union has also announced that its members will go on strike.
In a sign of relaxation, the union announced late Monday that it would end the strike in response to Netanyahu’s delay.
The announcement appeared to buy the weakened Netanyahu a few weeks of silence. But it was far from clear whether the disputes could be settled.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu interrupted a judicial review on the night of March 27, 2023, triggering a general strike, political divisions and mass protests in the country’s worst domestic crisis in years.
The resignation of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on March 26 deepened the political crisis
An Israeli protester is arrested by the police during clashes after the demonstration
A protester waves the Israeli flag as police officers use water cannons after clashes broke out
Anti-government protesters raise tires and a flag near Beit Yanai, Israel
State Rep. Isaac Herzog said it was “the right thing” to put the legislative blitz on hold.
“Now is the time for honest, serious and responsible discussions, which will urgently lead to calming the mood and reducing the flames,” he said.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said he was ready to engage in “real dialogue” under Herzog’s protection.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, an ultranationalist who has pushed for the package to be passed quickly, said he would respect the delay but showed little sign of compromise.
“The reform will succeed,” he tweeted. “Nobody will scare us.”
The first in a series of laws giving the coalition control over judge appointments was due to be approved this week.
Before Netanyahu’s speech, some 20,000 right-wing Israelis took part in a counter-demonstration in support of the prime minister. This demonstration also took place near the Parliament and was non-violent.
“They will not steal our election,” read a leaflet for an event organized by the Religious Zionist Party. Netanyahu said he was “moved” by the statement of support.
Shikma Bressler, one of the leaders of the anti-government protest movement, said the campaign will continue until the law is repealed.
“This is just an attempt to weaken the protests against Netanyahu’s dictatorship,” she said. “Now is not the time to lower the pressure, but to increase it.”
The former Israeli ambassador to the UK, Mark Regev, defended Netanyahu’s proposal to reform the judiciary, arguing that it was part of the government’s agenda when the prime minister was re-elected last year.
Speaking about the mass protests against the controversial reforms, Mr Regev told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “There were tens of thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands of protesters in the streets[in Israel]but a poll was taken and it was done it was israeli elections on november 1st.
“This government was elected by a majority and reform of the justice system was on the agenda.
“Even people who voted for the government support the idea that it should be done in a less confrontational way, that it should be done by consensus.
“I think there is support on both sides of the legal divide for this dialogue process, which I hope will be successful, but I’m not sure it will be.”
He added: “All coalition governments involve compromises and I’m sure that from his point of view Netanyahu was not re-elected as prime minister to see other people dominate the agenda.”
Dozens of protesters from rival parties clashed in central Tel Aviv late Monday. The parties, kept separate by police, exchanged insults, but there was no violence. The police used a water cannon to disperse anti-government protesters.
Palestinian citizens of Israel largely put out the protests. Many say Israel’s democracy is being undermined by military rule over their West Bank brethren and the discrimination they face.
The Biden administration, unhappy with Netanyahu and the far-right elements of his administration, hailed the announcement as “an opportunity to create additional time and space for compromise,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. said.
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Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
