2023-07-25 05:29:55
Manifestations
The controversial judicial reform project in Israel, a key measure of which was voted on Monday in Parliament, has sparked one of the biggest protest movements in the history of this country.
Israel’s parliament on Monday passed a key measure in the right-wing government’s judicial reform bill, sparking widespread protest and raising concern among foreign allies. The measure, which aims to limit the Supreme Court’s ability to overturn a government decision, was approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s 64-member coalition, out of a total of 120.
Increase the power of elected officials
On January 4, the government announces a justice reform project, aimed at increasing the power of elected officials over that of magistrates. It includes an “override” clause that would allow Parliament to overrule a Supreme Court decision by a simple majority.
This project is presented while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the head of one of the most right-wing governments in the history of the country, is tried for corruption in several cases. The leader of the opposition, the centrist Yaïr Lapid, for his part denounces a reform which “endangers” Israel’s legal system.
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Beginning January 7, weekly protests are held in Tel Aviv, where they gather up to 100,000 people (according to media estimates) on the 22nd. They spread to several other major cities.
Provisions passed in Parliament
On February 21, Parliament approves at first reading two key provisions of the reform, one of which modifies the process for appointing judges. The UN urges Israel to “suspend the proposed legislative changes”.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog calls on March 9 to halt the legislative process. On the 11th, the demonstrations gathered, according to the media, more than 100,000 people in Tel Aviv and broke records in Haifa and Beersheva (south), with 50,000 and 10,000 people respectively. On the 14th, Parliament adopted the “derogation” clause at first reading, the most contested provision of the draft.
International calls for compromise
Isaac Herzog presented a draft compromise on March 15, but the government rejected it. On the 16th, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was following the debates “with great concern”.
On the 17th, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken believes that reaching “a consensus is the best way forward”. Two days later, President Joe Biden calls on his Israeli counterpart to “compromise”.
On March 25, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant called for a month-long pause in the legislative process. He is fired the next day. “Deeply concerned”, the United States calls once more for “compromise”.
Netanyahu forced into a ‘pause’
On March 27, following the start of a general strike and the appearance of tensions within his majority, Benjamin Netanyahu announced a “pause” in the process of adopting the reform, postponed to the summer parliamentary session.
The demonstrations continue.
On June 14, the two main opposition leaders, Yaïr Lapid and Benny Gantz, suspend their participation in the negotiations on a compromise. On June 29, Benjamin Netanyahu declares having waived the “derogation” clause. The demonstrations, still weekly, nevertheless experienced a resurgence of mobilization on July 8.
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On the night of the 10th to the 11th, Parliament adopted in first reading a provision aimed at canceling the possibility for the judiciary to rule on “the reasonableness” of government decisions.
Key measure passed in Parliament
The protest is intensifying, as the new examination of the bill in Parliament approaches from July 23. At least 1,100 air force reservists are threatening to suspend their voluntary service if the Knesset passes the bill.
The “reasonableness” clause was adopted on the 24th by Parliament, in a vote boycotted by the opposition. This is the first measure of the reform to be adopted as law. Benjamin Netanyahu, released from the hospital where he had been admitted on the night of the 22nd to the 23rd for the installation of a pacemaker, took part in the vote.
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