JERUSALEM – Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Jerusalem on Saturday, marching on the main highway into the city to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul. The marchers, along with hundreds of other protesters, completed a four-day, 70-kilometer trek from Tel Aviv to Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, where they planned to camp ahead of Monday’s expected vote on the legislation.
Netanyahu and his far-right allies argue that the judicial overhaul is necessary to curb the powers of unelected judges, but critics say it will undermine the country’s system of checks and balances and pave the way for authoritarian rule. The proposed changes have drawn criticism from various sectors, including business and medical leaders, and even former security chiefs.
Over 100 former security chiefs, including retired military commanders, police commissioners, and intelligence agency heads, signed a letter urging Netanyahu to stop the legislation, which they believe compromises Israel’s defense and undermines the Israeli Defense Forces. They warned that if the legislation passes, they would suspend their volunteer service in the reserves, potentially jeopardizing the country’s security interests.
The protest movement against the judicial overhaul has been ongoing for seven months, and the upcoming vote on Monday is expected to be a crucial moment in the legislative process. The proposed changes would prevent the Supreme Court judges from striking down government decisions based on their “unreasonability,” a standard that is rarely invoked. Proponents argue that the current standard gives judges too much power, while opponents fear it would open the door to corruption and arbitrary decisions.
The proposed overhaul also includes other sweeping changes to limit the powers of the judiciary, such as restricting the Supreme Court’s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions and altering the process of selecting judges.
Protesters come from diverse backgrounds and see the overhaul as a power grab driven by personal and political motives of Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges, and his allies, who want to deepen Israel’s control over the occupied West Bank and maintain draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.
Despite growing opposition, Netanyahu remains steadfast in his support for the overhaul, dismissing accusations that it would undermine Israel’s democratic foundations. However, the increasing number of reservists refusing to serve has raised concerns among the country’s defense officials, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reportedly pushing for a delay in the vote. The outcome of Monday’s vote will have significant implications for the future of Israel’s judiciary and democratic principles.