Shortly before a decisive vote in parliament on the planned restructuring of the judiciary, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was given a pacemaker. Doctors at Tel Aviv’s Sheba Hospital announced Sunday morning that the operation had been successful. Netanyahu wants to be in parliament in the afternoon.
The 73-year-old had previously surprisingly announced in a video message that he would be having surgery: “I’m fine, but I’m listening to my doctors,” he said. His right-wing religious government wants to present a core part of its highly controversial plans to parliament (Knesset) this Sunday in Jerusalem. The deliberation on the bill will start at 09:00 (CEST). The final vote is not expected until Monday afternoon at the earliest. Several meetings of opponents and supporters of the project are planned throughout the day. The law is part of a larger package that critics see as a threat to Israeli democracy.
Attempts to reach a compromise with opponents continued in Netanyahu’s absence. Last weekend he was unexpectedly taken to the hospital. It was said at the time that he had been lying in the sun too long without water and a hat. A heart monitor placed later has now shown that immediate surgery is necessary.
crowded at protests
On Saturday, several hundred thousand people took to the streets against the planned weakening of the judiciary. Channel 13 estimates that about 170,000 people gathered in the center of the coastal city of Tel Aviv and 85,000 in Jerusalem. According to media reports, there were occasional violent clashes with police. Several protesters were arrested. Organizers of the protests estimate the number of participants nationwide at more than half a million. It would be one of the largest days of protest since the demonstrations began in early January. Israel has about 10 million inhabitants.
resistance from the military
For more than six months, the planned restructuring of the judiciary has divided large segments of Israeli society. For example, protest signs in Tel Aviv read “Netanyahu, the enemy of democracy” or “Save our homeland”. Many Israelis in the metropolis fear that Israel could fundamentally change with the legislative package. Recently, resistance within the army has also increased. On Saturday, some 10,000 reservists announced that they would no longer appear in service if the government did not halt their plans. According to reports, this could significantly affect the military’s operational readiness.
By Friday, more than 1,000 Air Force reservists had already threatened to refuse service. Defense Secretary Joav Galant then announced that he was trying to reach a “consensus”. According to media reports, he is trying to postpone Monday’s vote. Negotiations on a compromise have so far failed.
Is there a general strike?
Thousands also marched to the headquarters of the Confederation of Labor (Histadrut) in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening demanding a general strike. Meanwhile, Histadrut boss Arnon Bar-David held consultations on how to proceed.
Arbitrariness or interference?
The law should no longer allow the country’s highest court to rule a decision by the government or individual ministers as “improper”. Critics fear that this will lead to corruption and thus the arbitrary filling of important posts and layoffs. The Netanyahu government, on the other hand, accuses the judiciary of interfering too much in political decisions.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
