Israel

Israel is witnessing a historic protest over a judicial reform, which seeks to override verdicts by the Supreme Court.

MOST READ Prime Minister Netanyahu is likely to hold a meeting with far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, after he threatened to resign if the judicial overhaul is shelved. Also, three protesters entered Knesset, shouting at Likud's Education Minister Yoav Kish to resign before being escorted out. American fast food giant McDonald's shut down all its branches as part of the general strike. Massive protests have erupted in the country, with private and government officials voicing their concerns against the bill pushed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel is witnessing a historic protest over a judicial reform, which seeks to override verdicts by the Supreme Court.

Israel's largest trade union declared a general strike - paralyzing the country's international airport - and thousands of people gathered outside ...

A pause would help ease the tensions and buy Netanyahu some time to find a compromise. Levin, the justice minister who has led the efforts to rush the plan through parliament, said he would respect Netanyahu's wishes if he called for a delay. In security-obsessed Israel, Gallant, a gruff retired general, is among the most respected members of the new Cabinet. They also say Netanyahu has a deep conflict of interest in trying to reshape the legal system while on trial. [Netanyahu](/topic/netanyahu)'s former governing partners turned on him, and he was unable to form a stable, lasting coalition. Doctors and day care workers said they would stay off the job, and others were expected to join as well. Israel's largest trade union declared a general strike - paralyzing the country's international airport - and thousands of people gathered outside parliament for another day of protests. The union joins business leaders, bank chiefs, fighter pilots, military reservists, academics, former security commanders and other influential sectors of society in coming out against the plan. But the eruption of anger over Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's dismissal, organized quickly largely via the WhatsApp messaging app, was startling. The decision was felt almost immediately. With morale down and soldiers threatening not to report for duty, Gallant said that pushing ahead could hurt Israel's military readiness. Israeli media, citing unnamed officials inside Netanyahu's Likud party, said he was expected to delay his plan.

His proposed changes provoked an outpouring of anger from nearly all parts of Israeli society.

He had previously called for an immediate halt to the plans. In the heart of Jerusalem, around the Knesset, supporters and critics held counter-protests. The prime minister denies any wrongdoing and claims he is the victim of a "witch hunt". He accused an "extremist minority" of trying to divide the nation, and criticised military reservists who had opposed the bill by saying they wouldn't report for duty. His own part in the country's upheaval was not acknowledged. From the main airport to shops and banks - even in hospitals - services were stopped.

The Airports Authority grounded all outbound flights, while walkouts took place at ports, major retailers and Israel's largest investment fund, FIMI.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister, was expected to make a televised statement Monday announcing that the judicial overhaul plans had been ...

Parties to the coalition agreed on proposals for for the overhaul of the country’s judicial system. This panel currently has the minister of justice and another minister, the Supreme Court president and two judges, two Knesset members, and two representatives of the bar. This helped a member of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish Shas Party convicted of tax offences with a suspended sentence to take charge of three ministries. “At this time, for the sake of our country, I am willing to take any risk and pay any price,” the former navy admiral said in his televised address. “I call on all the demonstrators in Jerusalem, on the right and the left, to behave responsibly and not to act violently. The growing resistance to Netanyahu’s plan came hours after tens of thousands of people burst into the streets against the prime minister’s decision to fire his defence minister after he called for a pause to the juducial overhaul.

Israel is witnessing mass protests with thousands taking to streets to oppose Netanyahu's judicial reforms which aim to give parliament power to override ...

“I think Netanyahu returning to power last November was a big merit for our foreign policy in many countries, including India,” he told ThePrint over the phone. Earlier this month, about half a million Israelis took to the streets in various cities across the country in what were termed as the biggest mass protests in Israel’s history. Protests have been raging in Israel since 7 January, when Netanyahu’s far-right coalition government began floating plans to curb the powers of the country’s Supreme Court.

Israel is in the midst of what can only be described as a major political crisis after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition ...

Earlier, on Monday, Netanyahu’s coalition government also survived a no-confidence motion which was tabled by the opposition which has been protesting against the judicial overhaul plan. The legal reforms would also limit the power and authority of the High Court of Justice to block legislation or government decisions which would otherwise be deemed discriminatory or undemocratic. On Sunday, Netanyahu fired Gallant a day after his speech called on the government to stop the proposed judicial overhaul and hold talks with its opponents. Additionally, US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson, late Sunday, said that Washington is “deeply concerned” about developments out of Israel and highlighted the “urgent need for compromise”. Furthermore, critics have said that it will affect the checks and balances as well as undermine democratic institutions by giving absolute power to the ruling party coalition, which in this case would be Netanyahu’s Likud party, which also holds a majority in the Knesset. Following his ouster, protest leaders announced a spontaneous rally outside the military’s headquarters in Tel Aviv in response to Netanyahu's decision. Additionally, the government will also gain control over the selection process of judges and reportedly eliminate ministry legal advisers who are appointed by and report to the attorney general into political appointments controlled entirely by the government. Earlier this year, in January, the country’s Justice Minister Yariv Levin unveiled a plan which would overhaul Israel’s judicial system. Israel is in the midst of what can only be described as a major political crisis after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition government proposed an overhaul of the country's judiciary, earlier this year. While Histadrut national labour union also instructed all government employees to stage a walkout, in line with which diplomats from across the world walked off the job at foreign missions. The Israeli parliament, Knesset’s Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee was supposed to open early Monday for final voting of the judicial overhaul bill. Additionally, major organisations called for a strike action in solidarity which has effectively brought the entire country’s services to a grinding halt.

Israel protests Live Updates, March 27: Earlier in the day, Israelis from all over the country descended into Jerusalem and workers from a range of sectors ...

It would also allow the government to override court rulings on the basis of a simple parliamentary majority. “For the sake of the unity of the people of Israel, for the sake of responsibility, I call on you to stop the legislative process immediately,” Herzog said on Twitter. Earlier, President Isaac Herzog urged the government to call a halt to the planned legislation.

Ian Bremmer's Quick Take: In Israel, the demonstrations, people's power taking to the streets, particularly in Tel Aviv, are unprecedented.

Very little in terms of the Palestinian issue that we've seen over the course of the past weeks, but a lot in terms of women's rights that also have taken a significant hit over the course of this new government and lots of other social issues that are significant to large numbers, particularly of young people in Israel today. Of course, the other side of the coin is that if he pulls back, is he going to maintain support? All of this has led to huge moves against the Israeli shekel, against Israeli ETFs, against the Israeli investments in the markets that we've really not seen. If Netanyahu persists and decides that he's going to go ahead with this reform, it would not only be a significant erosion for Israeli democracy, but it would also be an enormous hit for the Israeli economy. That means you're not getting a Big Mac today in Israel because all of the McDonald's are closed. This is a population of less than 10 million in Israel, and hundreds of thousands are saying that they strongly oppose the efforts by Bibi Netanyahu and his coalition government to rest control of the judiciary, allowing the parliament to overturn judicial decisions from the Supreme Court and also allowing more control of executive appointments to Supreme Court justices.

We are deeply concerned by today's developments out of Israel, which further underscore the urgent need for compromise. As the President recently discussed with ...

Democratic societies are strengthened by checks and balances, and fundamental changes to a democratic system should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support. We believe that is the best path forward for Israel and all of its citizens. As the President recently discussed with Prime Minister Netanyahu, democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

For months, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have been taking to the streets across the country to protest far-reaching changes to Israel's legal system.

Opponents say the plan threatens the foundations of Israeli democracy. The nation's largest labor union called an end to the strike after Netanyahu's announcement. [Tensions rose further this past weekend](https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/26/middleeast/israel-judicial-overhaul-legislation-intl/index.html) when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over his opposition to the planned overhaul, prompting mass street protests and widespread strike action.

Tens of thousands of protesters took to streets in cities across Israel on Sunday night after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defence Minister Yoav ...

Israelis opposed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan block a highway during a protest moments after the Israeli leader fired his defense minister, in Tel Aviv, Israel. While supporters say the proposals would bring balance of power, the critics say they would weaken Judiciary and pave way for authoritarianism by making the Executive extremely powerful. Tens of thousands of protesters took to streets in cities across Israel on Sunday night after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for calling to stop proposed judicial reforms.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday his controversial plans to weaken the judiciary will be delayed after widespread strikes and protests ...

The cabinet vote would then need to be ratified by a super majority in the parliament. Netanyahu was also condemned by his opponents and a host of former Israeli prime ministers. the vote, in order to give time for discussion,” he added. “We’ve never been closer to falling apart. But months of sustained protests over the plans drew global attention and rocked the country. Netanyahu added that he is “aware of the tensions” and is “listening to the people.”

Israel's largest trade union declared a general strike - paralyzing the country's international airport - and thousands of people gathered outside ...

A pause would help ease the tensions and buy Netanyahu some time to find a compromise. State-run banks will within two weeks submit to the government a detailed scenario-mapped plan of various business risks, people familiar with the development told ET. Levin, the justice minister who has led the efforts to rush the plan through parliament, said he would respect Netanyahu's wishes if he called for a delay. They also say Netanyahu has a deep conflict of interest in trying to reshape the legal system while on trial. In security-obsessed Israel, Gallant, a gruff retired general, is among the most respected members of the new Cabinet. Israel's largest trade union declared a general strike - paralyzing the country's international airport - and thousands of people gathered outside parliament for another day of protests.

The right-wing government's push to get more control of the judiciary system thrust Israel into a crisis. The pushback led Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ...

That would set up a potential constitutional crisis, with two branches of government refusing to agree on what the law is. They say that their way of life is in danger and that women's rights could suddenly be limited under the new government plan. Instead, the country operates according to a set of basic laws. The immediate crisis is somewhat abated by the prime minister's decision to call off Monday's vote, but it's unclear if Netanyahu can hold together his coalition. The government also wants to give itself a more direct hand in selecting the country's judges — a process that involves a judicial selection committee. Yes, and it's possible that the Supreme Court could eventually rule on them. The prime minister is on trial for three criminal cases alleging corruption. The turmoil eventually prompted Netanyahu to freeze the legislation. Currently, politicians have a minority vote on the selection committee. Netanyahu postponed the final vote of the legislation that had been slated for Monday. The push for more control widely is seen as a preemptive step toward enacting a controversial legislative agenda. Then came word that Netanyahu would put the plan on hold.

Tens of thousands of people burst into the streets around Israel on the night of March 26 in a spontaneous show of anger at Prime Minister Benjamin ...

Women dressed as handmaidens from "The Handmaid's Tale" seen at a demonstration in Jerusalem, on March 27. President Isaac Herzog on Monday appealed to Netanyahu to immediately halt his controversial judicial overhaul, warning that the move has put the country's security, economy, and society under threat. Gallant had called on Netanyahu to freeze the plan, citing deep divisions in the country and turmoil in the military.

India News: The Israel embassy in New Delhi remained closed on Monday following an instruction by the Histadrut, Israel's largest labour union, ...

Middle East News: PM Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government contends the Supreme Court has unchecked power, but critics of the proposal say it goes too ...

To its critics, the SC is seen as the last bastion of the secular, centrist elite. The proposal would give representatives and appointees of the government an automatic majority on the committee, effectively allowing the government to choose the judges. In its proposed judicial changes, the government is first trying to change the makeup of a nine-member committee that selects judges.

Protesters clash with the police during a rally against the Israeli government's judicial reform in Tel Aviv, Israel on March 27. Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty ...

“The eyes of all the people of Israel are on you. Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who has strongly advocated for the reform to be pushed through, opened the door to the possibility of a delay on Monday. The eyes of all the Jewish people are on you. Opponents say the plans threaten the foundations of Israeli democracy. The eyes of the whole world are on you. Some military reservists have pledged to pull out of their service in opposition to the plans, which critics say would undermine the independence of the judiciary. We have been taken hostage by a bunch of extremists with no brakes and no boundaries,” he said. All takeoffs from Israel’s main airport, Ben Gurion Tel Aviv, were halted for several hours because of the strike. Gallant argued for a halt to the judicial reforms in a speech Saturday night, when Netanyahu was out of the country on an official visit to the United Kingdom. For the sake of the unity of Israelis, for the sake of committed responsibility I call on you to halt the legislative procedure immediately.” We are brotherly people,” he said on Twitter. In a statement issued later, Lapid called the past 24 hours “madness,” “loss of control” and “loss of direction.”

Middle East News: JERUSALEM: PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday delayed a decision on bitterly contested plans for a judicial overhaul amid fears that Israel's ...

Yoav Gallant, the outgoing defence minister who had been a staunch ally of Netanyahu, on Saturday cited "a clear, immediate and tangible threat to Israel's security". The White House noted President Joe Biden had told Netanyahu that "democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the US-Israel relationship". Supporters of the law, including far-right football fans, have staged counter demonstrations and police said they were reinforcing after social media threats of violent attacks on left wing Israelis. Netanyahu's comments came a day after he sacked his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, who had called for a halt to the legislative process citing national security concerns. About 80,000 demonstrators joined the Jerusalem rally against the reform package, the latest such protest to draw tens of thousands, Israeli media estimated. Earlier Monday, prior to the prime minister's address, tens of thousands of protesters had rallied near parliament in Jerusalem after the strike declaration.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu's statement Monday hasn't appeased those opposing his perceived desire to control the judiciary.

“I think the protests will continue, maybe not at the same amount, but more on a weekly basis.” “In Israeli society, serving in the army is your application to belonging and more. It’s like the protest became more comfortable with the fact of the flag’s presence.” “At first, in the anti-Occupation bloc, there were a lot of attacks on people who held Palestinian flags. Many are viewing his motivation as fundamentally “to escape his legal conundrum and three indictments.” “It is forbidden that there will be a civil war”.

Embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was forced to back down on controversial plans to overhaul the country's judiciary on Monday, ...

On Sunday, Israeli PM fired his defence minister Yoav Gallant, who had called for a halt to plans to overhaul the country's court system, CNN reported. He further said, "Out of the responsibility to the nation, I decided to delay ... Netanyahu said he would delay votes on the remaining legislation until after the Knesset's Passover recess in April "to give time for a real chance for a real debate."

Israel protests: लगातार जारी विरोध प्रदर्शनों के कारण इस्राइल के प्रधानमंत्री बेंजामिन ...

Stay updated with us for all latest [Hindi news](https://www.amarujala.com). अखबार द हारेट्ज ने अपने एक विश्लेषण में कहा है कि प्रधानमंत्री ने जन संपर्क की अनदेखी कर सबसे बड़ी गलती की। उन्होंने प्रस्तावित कानून के बारे में जनमत बनाने की कोशिश नहीं की। ऐसा शायद उन्होंने अति आत्म-विश्वास के कारण किया। दूसरी गलती उन्होंने जन प्रदर्शनों की ताकत की अनदेखी करके किया। शायद उन्हें लगा कि ये प्रदर्शन वामपंथी समूहों की तरफ से किए जा रहे हैं, जिनके साथ जन समर्थन नहीं है। जबकि इन प्रदर्शनों को कारोबारी समुदाय, टेक्नोलॉजी सेक्टर और आम लोगों का भी समर्थन मिल रहा था। लगातार जारी विरोध प्रदर्शनों के कारण इस्राइल के प्रधानमंत्री बेंजामिन नेतन्याहू को अपने ‘न्यायिक सुधार कानून’ को फिलहाल वापस लेना पड़ा है। विश्लेषकों की राय है कि इस्राइल की जमीनी हालत से कट जाने के कारण प्रधानमंत्री को यह शर्मिंदगी झेलनी पड़ी है। कानून को ‘अस्थायी रूप से’ वापस लेते हुए नेतन्याहू ने सोमवार को कहा कि अपने विरोधियों को ‘संवाद का वास्तविक मौका’ दे रहे हैं।

By Associated Press: Israel's political factions opposed to embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began setting up negotiating teams Tuesday after he ...

“This morning I’m optimistic and I applaud the move.” It would also give parliament, which is controlled by his allies, authority to overturn Supreme Court decisions and limit the court’s ability to review laws. But it failed to address the underlying issues that have polarised Israelis. He vowed to reach a “broad consensus” during the summer session of parliament, which begins on April 30. However, it failed to address the underlying issues that have polarised Israelis. But compromise seemed elusive as the standoff remains over the fundamental issue of what kind of country Israel should be — and positions only appear to have hardened.

Israeli diplomats in Switzerland decided Monday to join a general strike to protest plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the ...

Follow us on [also read] [World](https://www.firstpost.com/category/world) [Israeli protesters paint 'red line' leading to Supreme Court after Netanyahu rejects compromise on judicial reforms](https://www.firstpost.com/world/israeli-protesters-paint-red-line-leading-to-supreme-court-after-netanyahu-rejects-compromise-on-judicial-reforms-12305132.html) Israel’s high-tech industry, the engine of the country’s economy, could also be affected. A weaker court system could clear the way for more aggressive settlement construction and even annexation of West Bank lands. How Israel's worst domestic crisis over controversial judicial reforms unfolded](https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/timeline-how-israels-worst-domestic-crisis-over-controversial-judicial-reforms-unfolded-12362052.html) One of Israel’s key defences has been that it has an independent judiciary capable of investigating and prosecuting wrongdoing by troops. Doctors and daycare workers said they would stay off the job, and others were expected to join as well. “The Permanent Mission of Israel will remain closed until further notice and no consular services will be provided,” it said in a statement. But is this enough to pacify angry Israelis? Business leaders, bank chiefs, fighter pilots, military reservists, academics, former security commanders and other influential sectors of society also came out against the plan. Thank you for your understanding,” the embassy said on Twitter. The decision was felt almost immediately. Israeli diplomats in Switzerland decided Monday to join a general strike to protest plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system.

As seen in an annual survey by The Israel Democracy Institute, Israelis' trust in the state's institutions has been deteriorating for some years, ...

The Supreme Court still enjoyed a comparably high trust score: 42% of Jewish Israelis said they trusted it last year – rank 3 behind the Israeli Defense Forces and the President of Israel. [on strike this Monday, while Israel’s largest labour union](https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/26/middleeast/israel-judicial-overhaul-legislation-intl/index.html) has announced a press conference. Gallant spoke out in opposition of Netanyahu’s reform that would give control over the appointment of judges to the government and also enable the parliament to override the Supreme Court.