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Why Are Hundreds of Thousands of Israelis Protesting, and Does Netanyahu Care? [1]
['Amir Tibon']
Date: 2023-02-13
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis are demonstrating and striking Monday to protest the Netanyahu government’s plan to weaken the country’s judiciary. Set to be one of the largest demonstrations in Israeli history, it has already caught the attention of the White House, the international media and the world’s top financial institutions. But if you're not yet in the loop, here are answers to some key questions on the drama unfolding.
What are the protests about?
Israel’s new government, the most religious and far-right in the country’s history, is pushing through the Knesset a plan to significantly change the balance of power between the three branches of government. The legislation gives the prime minister and his or her government – via the legislature they control – the power to override Supreme Court decisions. It also limits the court’s ability to strike down legislation that infringes on human and civil rights, while giving the government complete control over judicial appointments.
The plan has been criticized by almost the entire legal establishment, with the attorney general, the Supreme Court chief and dozens of former justices calling it a threat to Israeli democracy. It has also drawn unusual warnings from Israel’s allies abroad including U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as stalwart supporters of Israel in the U.S. Jewish community.
In addition, top financial and economic officials including the governor of the Bank of Israel, the CEOs of the country’s banks, senior officials at the Finance Ministry and leaders of Israel’s vaunted high-tech industry have warned that the plan could seriously damage Israel’s economy.
The plan has aroused strong opposition because it gives almost absolute power to the government, removing the checks and balances that have safeguarded Israel's democracy for decades. Unlike other Western democracies, Israel has no constitution, and the separation between the executive and legislative branches is very weak because the government almost always has a majority in the Knesset.
This situation has left the Supreme Court as the main check on the government’s power; the current plan would cripple the top court and leave Israel without judicial review over legislation and cabinet decisions.
Why are huge demonstrations happening today?
Since the government announced its plan last month, Israel has seen a wave of protests, with hundreds of thousands joining demonstrations in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other cities. On Monday, the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee held its first vote on the subject, provoking civil society organizations to declare a day of emergency, calling on Israelis to strike and gather in Jerusalem for a massive protest. Hundreds of thousands are heeding the call, though that hasn't stopped the governing coalition from winning the vote in the committee, as expected.
The battle will continue after Monday's vote. The legislation now moves to the full Knesset, where it will need to pass in three votes in the coming days or weeks. The protest movement is already preparing its next steps.
What leverage do the protesters have?
Netanyahu’s coalition enjoys a 64-56 majority in the Knesset, but the protest movement has created a kind of balance of terror with the government. Israel’s high-tech sector, which generates a large chunk of the country’s tax revenue, is playing an unusually strong role in the demonstrations and Monday’s strike. Also, the government is concerned about the growing trend of Israelis moving their money abroad.
Several tech companies and startups worth billions of dollars have already announced such decisions, and it is believed that many others are deciding the same without going public. The bank chiefs have warned Netanyahu that they're seeing a clear movement of funds out of the country, while the shekel is weakening against the dollar.
Just as important are the opinion polls' results: strong opposition to the judicial overhaul in its current form. A Channel 12 poll Friday showed a majority of Israelis wanting the government to put the legislation on hold and launch a dialogue with the opposition to craft a less extreme plan for changes to the judicial system.
Is there any chance for compromise?
In a speech Sunday night, President Isaac Herzog called on the government to freeze the legislation and begin a dialogue based on reforms that he himself presented. Opposition leader Yair Lapid accepted the idea, and U.S. Ambassador Thomas Nides called Herzog a "great leader." But Justice Minister Yariv Levin rejected the proposal and pledged to keep the legislative process going. He has thus set the stage for the next phase of the battle over Israeli democracy.
Follow all the news about Israel’s democratic emergency on Haaretz.com, and sign up to receive updates directly to your inbox via Haaretz Today, our daily newsletter summing up the most important news of the day in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World.
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