Opponents of Netanyahu take to the streets in the 10th week of judicial reform

The Israelis, who hold a mass demonstration across the country every Saturday evening, against the judicial regulation of the extreme right-wing coalition government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, did not break the rule this week. They were on the streets again in the tenth week of the protests. Tens of thousands of Israelis participated in the demonstrations held in dozens of locations across the country, especially in Tel Aviv, as well as in major cities such as Haifa, West Jerusalem, Birussebi and Netanya.

'WAR ON DEMOCRACY'

As in the previous weeks, tens of thousands of protesters gathered in front of the Government Complex on Kaplan Street, which has turned into a rally area where speeches were made in Tel Aviv, where the highest participation took place.

Representatives from different non-governmental organizations and various sectors of Israel made pro-democracy speeches on the stage set up in the square.

Demonstrators also often addressed "Democracy" and the government, "Shame!" chanted slogans.

Banners reading "Crime Minister", which have become frequently used against Netanyahu's Prime Ministry, were displayed in the demonstration area, while banners criticizing the government's judicial regulation such as "War on democracy" and "Protect the independence of the judiciary" were carried.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who are in Netanyahu's government coalition and stand out with their far-right and racist policies, were also targeted by the protesters.

Numerous protesters carried placards and cartoons against Ben-Gvir and Smotrich.

'FIGTNING FOR OUR COUNTRY'

Among the protesters at the Tel Aviv rally were activists who opposed the racist policies of the governing coalition of far-right parties against Palestinians, and activists who believed it was a threat to women's rights.

Yair Lapid, former prime minister and leader of the opposition Yesh Atid (Future) party, attended the demonstrations in the southern city of Biressebi.

"We are with more than 10,000 wonderful protesters in Biressebi, fighting for our country," Lapid said on his Twitter account. 

While protests across the country were the most prominent agenda item in the Israeli press, Haaretz newspaper wrote that "giant demonstrations" were organized in Tel Aviv and Haifa to fight against Netanyahu's "judicial coup".

JUDICIAL REFORM

The mass demonstrations of tens of thousands of people in Israel in different cities, especially in Tel Aviv, against the judicial regulation and right-wing policies of the Netanyahu government have left 10 weeks behind.

Minister of Justice Yariv Levin announced on January 5 that they were planning a law that would limit the powers of the Supreme Court and reduce the influence of the judiciary on the selection of judges.

The moves of the coalition government led by Netanyahu to transfer some of the powers of the judiciary to the parliament caused tensions between the government and the Israeli judiciary, especially the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court of Israel, which serves as the highest judicial authority in the country, has the power to overturn the laws passed by the Assembly on the grounds that they are inconsistent with the "fundamental laws" accepted as the draft constitution.

The Netanyahu government stated in the judicial regulation it announced that it would deprive the Supreme Court of its authority to overturn the laws passed by the Assembly.

Israeli Chief Prosecutor, Gali Baharav-Miara, submitted his objections to the government's judicial regulation in writing and shared that he was concerned about "separation of powers, independence of the judiciary and protection of individual rights".

(AA)