Israel is in the midst of civil and political unrest amid “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s” planned judicial reform, which according to the people is a threat to democracy.
The proposed amendments would strip the Supreme Court of its ability to deem laws unlawful and give the government a greater voice in the selection of judges, plans that enraged many Israelis.
The proposed plan met with an uproar from the citizens across Israel. Hundreds of Israelis flocked to the streets Sunday night (26 March) after Prime Minister Netanyahu fired Defence Minister Gallant after he declared on Saturday (25 March) that the court overhaul “poses a clear, immediate, and palpable threat to the state’s security.”
Demonstrations broke out in Tel Aviv on Sunday (26 March) as a result of the decision, and protesters blocked a major road and lit massive bonfires. Moreover, there were protests in Haifa, Beersheba, and Jerusalem.
Protests continued through Monday (27 March) as Israel’s Airports Authority announced that all outbound flights from the nation’s primary international airport had been halted as a result of a strike called to oppose the proposed judicial reforms by the government.
Hit by the number of protests and unrest across the country. On Monday (27 March), Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged the government to halt its controversial judiciary changes.
Following one of the largest protests in Israel’s history on Sunday (26 March), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday night (27 March) that he was halting his controversial judicial reforms in order to “allow dialogue” and prevent a “civil war.” He did this in response to mounting pressure from within his own coalition.
As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to halt contentious judicial reforms that had provoked a nationwide strike and widespread protests, caution was the order of the day in Israel on Tuesday (28 March). Nevertheless, the crisis is far from over.
