In Israel, a controversial reform promoted by the government of Benjamin Netanyahu has generated deep divisions in the country, unleashing one of the longest protest movements in its history. On the 29th consecutive day of mobilization in Tel Aviv, protesters chanted pro-democracy slogans, expressing their discontent and concern over the proposed measures.
The stated objective of the government with this reform is to rebalance powers, reducing the prerogatives of the Supreme Court, which the Executive considers politicized, to the benefit of Parliament. However, critics fear that these modifications pave the way towards an anti-liberal or even authoritarian government, given the ultra-right and ultra-religious orientation of the current government.
One of the most controversial points of the reform, which will be debated in the Knesset, seeks to annul the possibility for the judiciary to decide on the “reasonableness” of government decisions. The protesters have expressed their opposition to this measure and have exerted pressure in front of the Knesset and the Supreme Court in Jerusalem.
In addition, the modification of the process for appointing judges has also caused discontent, with some critics accusing Netanyahu of wanting to use this reform to mitigate possible guilty verdicts in the corruption allegations against him.
The controversy has even reached Israeli Air Force reservists, more than 1,100 of whom have threatened to suspend their voluntary service if the reform passes parliament. They believe that any legislation applied in an “unreasonable” manner would affect their willingness to continue risking their lives and would lead them to suspend their voluntary reserve service.
Faced with mounting opposition, US President Joe Biden has urged Netanyahu to seek consensus and not rush judicial reforms. Netanyahu, for his part, has expressed his openness to negotiating with the opposition.
The situation remains tense in Israel, with a divided population and persistent demonstrations against the government’s controversial proposed judicial reform.