Israel: Protests rage as Knesset moves to curb Supreme Court powers
Thousands of people took to the streets in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as opposition leaders said they would challenge the reform in the very court that will be weakened under the reform.
The measure is the first major law in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu[1]’s contentious plan to overhaul the country’s justice system, which have triggered months of mass protests and accusations that he is pushing the country towards authoritarian rule.
It was passed unanimously by Mr Netanyahu’s ruling coalition last night after the opposition stormed out of the hall.
“It’s a sad day,” opposition leader Yair Lapid said after the vote.
“This is not a victory for the coalition. This is the destruction of Israeli democracy.”
The overhaul calls for sweeping changes aimed at curbing the powers of the judiciary, from limiting the Supreme Court’s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions to changing the way judges are selected.
Mr Netanyahu and his allies say the changes strengthen democracy by limiting the authority of unelected judges and giving elected officials more powers over decision-making.
“Today we did a necessary democratic act, an act that is intended to return a measure of balance between the branches of government,” he said in a televised address last night.
Mr Netanyahu vowed to seek renewed dialogue with the political opposition and called for national unity.
Protesters block Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv
/ REUTERS“Let us reach agreements,” he said.
“I extend my hand in a call for peace and mutual respect between us.”
Protesters see the overhaul as a power grab fuelled by personal and political grievances of Mr Netanyahu - who is on trial for corruption charges - and his partners.
As the prime minister spoke, Israel[2]’s Channel 13 TV showed a split screen with a police water cannon spraying crowds of demonstrators.
Thousands of people, many waving blue-and-white Israeli flags, gathered outside the Knesset, or parliament, and the Supreme Court, and jammed Jerusalem’s main motorway.
Walls and fences were plastered with stickers reading “We won’t serve a dictator”, “Democracy or rebellion” and “Save Israel from Netanyahu”.
Police tried to clear the crowds with water cannons spraying skunk-scented water.
Many protesters put plugs in their noses or held up sprigs of rosemary plucked from nearby bushes to try to control the stench.
Riot police try to clear demonstrators with a water cannon in Tel Aviv
/ AP“This puts us on the way to dictatorship,” said protester Danny Kimmel, a 55-year-old programme manager.
“You don’t do this to people who are protesting. It’s their right.”
Thousands of people also demonstrated in central Tel Aviv - the epicentre of months of anti-government protests.
Scuffles took place between police and protesters, with at least eight people arrested and protesters lighting bonfires.
Police said they arrested a driver who hit a group of protesters in central Israel, injuring three people.
The White House, which has repeatedly urged Mr Netanyahu to pause his overhaul plan until he has a broad consensus, expressed regret.
“It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority,” it said.
References
- ^ Benjamin Netanyahu (www.standard.co.uk)
- ^ Israel (www.standard.co.uk)