“There are massive demonstrations. So big last night that people took to the streets in their pajamas to demonstrate,” Hammelburg says. The Israeli population is outraged on several issues. For example, the incumbent government wants to make changes to the Supreme Court. votes, but it was postponed.
End of the rule of law
The amendment to the law provides that from now on the parliamentarians must designate the judges of the court. Furthermore, the parliament, the Knesset, could overturn the rulings of that Supreme Court. “That means the end of the rule of law,” says Hammelburg, noting that he was known nationally and internationally for the independent stance he always took. “He Often he went against government policy.”
Now that Prime Minister Netanyahu wants to postpone the vote, the situation is tense. “In an ordinary democracy, the majority should take account of the minority. That minority is now so loud, so numerous and so ferocious that all of this is unstoppable,’ says Hammelburg.
In principle, there is a parliamentary majority for this plan, but even that is now uncertain. The Israeli government is made up of a coalition between the Likud and some extreme conservative parties. “The leader of one of those parties, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has already said that postponing plans means the end of the current cabinet,” says Hammelburg.
The largest trade union in the country went on strike this morning in protest. In fact, the whole country is flat, Hammelburg says. The airport is also closed because the staff are on strike. And the Air Force’s elite pilots refuse to go to work. It’s complete chaos.’
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Biden
Importantly, the White House has also responded to the situation. “This is unusual because most countries, including the United States, don’t interfere in another country’s internal affairs,” Hammelburg points out. Because of Biden’s involvement, Netanyahu will realize that he cannot save him.”
The entire cabinet is now meeting for crisis consultations. Netanyahu was supposed to give a speech tomorrow morning, but it hasn’t happened yet. “My impression is that Netanyahu ultimately has no choice but to throw in the towel,” says Hammelburg.
Corruption
This brings Hammelburg to perhaps the most important argument for Netanyahu to implement the law change. He himself is a suspect in four corruption cases. If the change in the law fails, it will be punishable. If he resigns, and sooner or later he will, he’ll have to go to court. Which he has been able to prevent in recent years ».