After the adoption of a core element of the controversial judicial reform, tens of thousands of people once again demonstrated in Israel. A car crashed into a crowd during a protest in Tel Aviv on Monday night, injuring three protesters. The police have arrested the driver. The protesters had blocked a lane.
People disrupted traffic all over the country. In Tel Aviv, thousands marched for hours on a central highway in the evening. At least 34 protesters were arrested across the country on Monday, some by force, according to media reports. Several people were also injured, including from the use of water cannons. The protest movement had previously announced that it would continue its demonstrations “until the end”.
Low majority for Bill
On Monday, 64 of 120 lawmakers voted in favor of a bill limiting the Supreme Court’s ability to act. The opposition boycotted the vote. The law is part of a larger package. Critics see it as a threat to Israeli democracy and even warn against the introduction of a dictatorship.
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the law empowers elected leaders to rule in the interests of the majority of citizens. Proponents of the reform argue that unlike MPs or ministers, judges are not directly elected by the people. They are now more independent from the judges and can more easily defend the interests of their constituents.
With the new law, it is no longer possible for the Supreme Court to judge a decision by the government or individual ministers as “inappropriate”. Many experts fear that this will encourage corruption and thus the arbitrary filling of important posts or layoffs.
Is there a national crisis now?
Representatives of the opposition, the Bar Association and various non-governmental organizations announced on Monday that they would appeal against the law to the Supreme Court. According to experts, a state crisis could ensue if the court decides to intervene.
Protest strike at hospitals
According to media reports, the Medical Association of Israel announced a protest strike on Tuesday. Hospitals therefore only work with minimal capacity and only treat emergencies.
criticism from the United States
The US criticized the Israeli parliament’s decision. The course of the Netanyahu administration has become a stress test for Israeli-American relations in recent months. The US is Israel’s closest ally, providing the country with billions of dollars in defense aid each year.
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.
