JERUSALEM – Thousands of Israeli doctors participated in a walkout, labor leaders threatened a general strike, and senior justices rushed back to Israel from a trip abroad on Tuesday, following the government’s approval of a law that weakens the country’s supreme court. Critics argue that the law will erode the system of checks and balances in the country.
The front pages of four major Israeli newspapers were covered in black ink, with the ominous image sponsored by an alliance of high-tech companies, displaying the words “A black day for Israeli democracy” at the bottom. This follows the approval of the first in a series of measures for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s contentious judicial overhaul, despite seven months of fierce resistance from the public, promises of compromise from Netanyahu, and a rare warning from the United States, Israel’s closest ally.
The bill was unanimously passed by the governing coalition, which includes ultra-nationalist and ultra-religious parties, after the opposition stormed out of the house shouting “Shame!” Civil rights groups are continuing to challenge the law and have submitted petitions to the Supreme Court, seeking its overturn. Protests across the country have escalated in response to the developments.
The widespread demonstrations are not expected to dissipate, as the government has indicated that the approved law is only the initial phase of the overall judicial overhaul. The protests represent a significant democratic awakening in Israel’s history and have sparked social and political unrest.
The magnitude of the situation has led to further concerns, including a potential decline in the country’s operational readiness as thousands of officers in the military reserves have announced they will no longer participate in voluntary service. High-tech businesses are contemplating relocation, and Moody’s has issued a report warning of “significant risk” if divisions within the country continue, potentially having negative consequences for Israel’s economy and security situation.
The judicial overhaul may also impact Israel’s relationships with the international community, including its alliances with Arab states and its ties with the Biden administration. The measure threatens to strain the country’s already divided society and may lead to deeper conflicts with the Palestinians.
The protests have gained support from various sectors of Israeli society, reflecting concerns over the changes to the country’s judicial system. The Israeli Medical Association has gone on strike, and the largest labor union, Histadrut, plans to convene for a nationwide general strike. The chief justice of the Supreme Court and five other senior justices returned early from a trip abroad to address the crisis.
Supporters of the judicial overhaul argue that it is necessary to curb the powers of unelected judges and empower elected officials. However, opponents fear that it will undermine Israeli democracy and weaken the country’s system of checks and balances. They believe that it grants the prime minister excessive control over the executive and legislative branches of government, thus reducing the oversight role of the Supreme Court.
The judicial overhaul has also raised suspicions of personal motivations, given that Netanyahu, currently on trial for charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, is the driving force behind the reform. The demonstrations have exposed deep divisions in Israeli society, with protesters primarily representing the secular middle class, while Netanyahu’s supporters tend to be more religious, economically disadvantaged, and living in West Bank settlements or rural areas.
The situation has implications for the future of Israeli society and its democratic principles, as the country navigates through this contentious period of change.