Demonstrators in Israel raised the bar on protests against the government Monday, blocking coalition parliament members from leaving their homes to vote on a controversial judicial overhaul that opponents say will keep investors away and threaten the country’s democracy.
(Bloomberg) —
Demonstrators in Israel raised the bar on protests against the government Monday, blocking coalition parliament members from leaving their homes to vote on a controversial judicial overhaul that opponents say will keep investors away and threaten the country’s democracy.
Homes and highways were blocked in what organizers of the anti-legislation protests said were “individual, spontaneous acts.” Several protesters were arrested. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his predecessor Yair Lapid both criticized demonstrators for temporarily preventing lawmakers from leaving for the Knesset.
“The protesters are trampling democracy,” Netanyahu told his Likud party.
Monday is the first plenum vote on the judicial changes, which will make it easier for the new far-right government to appoint judges and limit the Supreme Court’s authority to strike down laws. It will have to pass several more votes before becoming law.
Opponents say it will weaken the political system’s checks and balances and make Israel a less appealing place to invest, increasing the influence of religious fundamentalists.
Major Israeli Protests Against Judicial Overhaul Threaten Unrest
Those pushing for the changes argue that the court has, over the past three decades, assumed too much power, declaring itself a constitutional forum even though Israel has no constitution, and playing a dominant role in selecting those who sit on the bench. In a unicameral, parliamentary system like Israel’s, the executive can exert enormous control over the legislature, leaving only the courts to address perceived abuses of minorities and human rights.
Tens of thousands of people protested outside the Knesset Monday, just two days after a similar rally against the government, according to organizers.
President Isaac Herzog has called on politicians to find a compromise. Last week he warned of “constitutional and social collapse” if officials didn’t work to address the dissent triggered by the proposals.
Netanyahu called for opposition lawmakers to agree to talk about a compromise. “Today we will vote and tomorrow I hope a door will open for dialogue,” he said.
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