Netanyahu backs down, but tensions rise in Israeli streets

In his address to the nation on Monday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “I have decided to hold the second and third sessions of judicial reform in the next term of Parliament to reach a broader consensus on the need for national responsibility and to avoid the division of the nation”. he announced that the arrangement was postponed.

While the opposition expressed its satisfaction with Netanyahu’s decision, the protesters, who wanted the regulation completely halted and insisted on “not going out into the streets”, called protests for today (Tuesday) and Saturday.

Immediately after Netanyahu’s remarks, the groups that organized the demonstrations in Tel Aviv, in a written statement, said: “The leaders of the resistance against the dictatorship invite people to Kaplan street to protest throughout the day as part of the of the national struggle. he used the phrase.

WHO ARE THE ORGANIZING GROUPS OF THE SHOW?

Although the demonstrations that nearly swept Israel began under the umbrella of the “Center for the Fight Against the Judicial Coup”, there are left-wing organizations active in the protests against Netanyahu during the period when he headed the 35th Israeli government in May 2020 – June 2020. 2021.

One of the groups leading the demonstrations is striking, the “Black Flags Movement”, founded by 4 brothers from the Schwarzmann family.

Channel 13, which broadcasts in the country, previously announced that this move was funded by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak’s National Accountability Association.

The “Crime Minister Movement”, which wanted to speed up his prosecution on corruption charges against Netanyahu, also held demonstrations on Saturdays for more than 6 months in 2020, demanding Netanyahu’s resignation, accompanied by the Black Flags group. . The move in question has also come to light in recent actions.

Also involved in these actions was the Quality Management Movement in Israel, which frequently petitions the Israeli Supreme Court, investigates attitudes of state employees incompatible with public administration, and organizes annual symposia and activities on good governance.

PARTICIPATION IN ACTIONS IN DIFFERENT SECTORS

The mobilizations carried out every Saturday were attended by various sectors.

Among these, some groups of university dissidents, academics, businessmen, private sector companies and high-tech workers drew attention.

In addition, soldiers in civilian clothes (the military prosecutor’s office decided on March 19 that it was okay for soldiers to attend demonstrations on the condition that they wear civilian clothes) and Israelis in cities like Berlin, Rome, London, New York , San Francisco, Boston and Washington, in addition to Israel, also participated in the demonstrations.

EXHIBITOR REQUESTS

The protesters wanted the judicial regulation submitted to the Assembly for a vote to be stopped.

On the other hand, the ruling party had planned to approve said judicial regulation before the end of the winter legislature, before April 2.

Protesters described the plan as a “judicial coup” and said it spelled “the beginning of the end for Israeli democracy.”

The protesters assess that if the judicial regulation is implemented, it will affect the course of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s corruption case.

IGNITION OF PROTEST ADJUSTMENT AND AFTER DEVELOPMENTS

The demonstrations began after Justice Minister Yariv Levin announced on January 5 that they were planning a “judicial reform” that would limit the powers of the Supreme Court and allow the government a say in judicial appointments.

The Justice Minister’s announcement comes just days after the Netanyahu government was sworn in at the end of December 2022.

The protests began with the reaction of some organizations known for their opposition to Netanyahu and his administration. Soon after, large segments of Israeli society joined the demonstrations, as well as other groups and organizations.

The protests, attended by an estimated 250,000 people across Israel on Saturdays, were interpreted as an expression of strong social division, in the shadow of “a warning of an imminent civil war” by President Isaac Herzog and opposition leaders.

The protests also led to Air Force reserve and intelligence officers refusing to continue their duties with their troops. In addition to the Israel Air Force, hundreds of intelligence and special forces officers, UAV operator reservists, have announced that they will not continue their duties in their units if the Supreme Court is weakened.

Following these events, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was sacked by Prime Minister Netanyahu on March 26, a day after he called on the government to stop the controversial judicial regulation that has sparked a political crisis and mass protests in the country. .

Some mayors also announced that they will go on hunger strike outside Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office in West Jerusalem on March 27 in response to the court ruling.

Some international airlines canceled flights to Israel after the Israel Airport Employees Union announced that they were on strike at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport after the government failed to suspend judicial regulation.

The US administration also expressed deep concern over developments in Israel and called for an agreement to be reached.

After all these events, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu postponed the judicial regulation that sparked massive protests and strikes across the country on March 27; he announced that he has started a dialogue with the opposition, which welcomed the decision. (AA)