“King of Israel”
Netanyahu supporters demonstrate for reform
03/30/2023, 10:17 p.m
Mass protests are forcing Israel’s prime minister to postpone his controversial judicial reform. While the president is still holding talks with the opposition, thousands are pouring onto the streets of Tel Aviv again: this time for the beleaguered Netanyahu.
Thousands of supporters of the controversial judicial reform have rallied in Israel after calls for violence against journalists and activists from the opposite side. According to Channel 12, around 30,000 demonstrators marched through downtown Tel Aviv in the evening and blocked a freeway in both directions. According to the Haaretz newspaper, some of them broke through police barriers and clashed with security forces. Some set off firecrackers.
Several right-wing organizations had called for the protest. According to media reports, calls for violence against journalists circulated in advance. These would have to be “finished”, quoted Haaretz from messages that participants are said to have exchanged in group chats in advance. In the evening, journalists on site were sometimes prevented from delivering their reports in front of the camera with loud chanting, clapping and blasting.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition wants to use the judicial reform to limit the influence of the Supreme Court and expand the government’s position of power. She accuses the Supreme Court of excessive interference in political decisions. In the future, Parliament should be able to overrule decisions of the Supreme Court with a simple majority. Critics see the separation of powers in danger and warn of a state crisis if the reform is implemented in this way.
President speaks to opposition
Netanyahu’s supporters waved flags of his Likud party on the street. Some reportedly chanted slogans like “The people are demanding judicial reform,” while others referred to Netanyahu as “King of Israel.” The supporters of the reform also want to counter the mass protests of the past few weeks. Tens of thousands in Tel Aviv and other cities protested against the course of the right-wing religious government.
Israeli President Izchak Herzog met with the opposition on Tuesday evening and on Wednesday to discuss judicial reform. After massive protests, Netanyahu had postponed the proposed law in order to “make room for dialogue”.