Planes Grounded, Def Min Sacked As President Urges Halt To Judicial Reform — Here’s Why Israel Is Burning

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is moving ahead with the controversial judicial reform bill that has hit the country with one of the worst protests in its history.

Israel Protests: Protests have been intensifying in Israel over the proposed judicial reform that has caused widespread controversy in the country. Citizens have clashed with police, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is using all its might to challenge the voices of the protesters.

Several weeks ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the judicial reform bill, which led to unexpected events. The Jerusalem Post reported that PM Netanyahu is expected to announce in a statement that he's freezing legislation on judicial reform.

But why is it all happening? Why are people and Netanyahu sticking to their respective demands? And what has happened so far — Here We Explain.

What Has Happened In Israel So Far 

Trade Union Calls For General Strike 

On Monday, the union leader of Israel’s top trade union called for an immediate 'general strike' over the proposed government reforms, reported AFP.  

According to the agency, chairman Arnon Bar-David said: “I am calling a general strike...from the moment this press conference ends, the State of Israel stops.” 

President Urged To Halt Judicial Reform Bill 

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday urged the government to immediately halt its controversial judicial reforms, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed his defence minister over similar demands, AFP reported. Herzog's statement came after increased protests in Tel Aviv where demonstrators accused the judicial overhaul package of endangering Israel's democracy. 

"Last night we witnessed very difficult scenes. I appeal to the Prime Minister, members of the Government, and members of the Coalition: there are harsh and painful feelings. The entire nation is rapt with deep worry," Herzog said, PTI reported. 

"Our security, economy, society — all are under threat. The whole people of Israel are looking at you. The whole Jewish People are looking at you. The whole world is looking at you," the ceremonial president in a statement. 

"For the sake of the unity of the People of Israel, for the sake of the necessary responsibility, I call on you to halt the legislative process immediately," he emphasised, according to PTI. 

He urged all the leaders in power to place the country's citizens above all else. 

"I appeal to the leaders of all Knesset factions, Coalition and Opposition alike, to place this country's citizens above all else and to act with courage and responsibility without further delay. Wake up now! This is not a political moment; this is a moment for leadership and responsibility," the president asserted. 

PM Netanyahu Sacked Defence Minister  

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant a day after Gallant urged the government to halt the controversial judicial overhaul legislation. 

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, a senior member of Netanyahu's Likud party, became the first to break ranks late Saturday by calling for the legislation to be frozen. In light of strong protests among the ranks of the military, Gallant saw the overhauls as a threat to state security. 

The Israeli PM's office issued a one-line statement: "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided, this evening to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Gallant."  

The announcement was followed by more protests in Tel Aviv on Sunday, with protestors blocking a main highway. Demonstrations also took place in Jerusalem, Beersheba, and Haifa. 

The announcement indicated that Netanyahu will go ahead with the overhaul plan this week, which has sparked mass protests, angered military and business leaders, and raised concerns among Israel's allies. 

In response to unprecedented protests, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant made a bold move on Saturday by urging the government to halt the controversial judicial overhaul legislation. This was despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence on proceeding with the proposed "reforms". 

"The security of the State of Israel is my life’s mission. Over the course of my entire adult life, I have dealt with Israel’s security day in and day out. Clothed in the IDF’s (Israel Defence Forces) uniform, I have risked my life dozens of times for the State of Israel. And at this time, for the sake of our country, I am willing to take any risk and pay any price", Gallant said in a televised speech, according to the news agency PTI. 

"I declare loudly and publicly, for the sake of Israel’s security, for the sake of our sons and daughters – the legislative process should be stopped", he asserted, pointing to the visible diminishing morale of the army he could sense that is endangering Israel's security and unity. 

 Flights Grounded In Israel 

Israel’s Airports Authority on Monday said that departing flights from the country’s main international airport have been grounded due to a strike that was called to protest the government's proposed judicial overhaul. The flight cancellations are expected to impact tens of thousands of people. 

Thousands of people took to the streets across Israel last night after Prime Minister Netanyahu sacked Defence Minister Gallant after he said on Saturday that the judicial overhaul "poses a clear, immediate, and tangible threat to the security of the state". 

The Israeli PM's office issued a one-line statement: "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided, this evening to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Gallant."  

The announcement was followed by more protests in Tel Aviv on Sunday, with protestors blocking a main highway and lighting large bonfires. Demonstrations also took place in Jerusalem, Beersheba, and Haifa. 

White House ‘Deeply Concerned’ 

Reacting to the developments in Israel, the White House said it was 'deeply concerned' over events in Israel. The statement came after PM Netanyahu fired Defence Minister Yoav Galant. 

“We are deeply concerned by today's developments out of Israel, which further underscore the urgent need for compromise,” White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement. 

What Is Israel’s Judicial Reform Bill 

PM Netanyahu-led Israeli government is attempting to do a judicial overhaul with an aim to give the elected government supremacy over the judiciary like decisive influence over the choice of judges and limit the ability of the Supreme Court to rule against the executive or strike down legislation, reported BBC.  

However, PM Netanyahu says the reforms are designed to stop the courts from overreaching their powers adding that his government has been voted for by the Israeli public at the last election, mentioned BBC.  

According to reports, the proposed legislation would give more weight to the government in the committee that selects judges. It added that legislation would also deny the country’s top court the right to strike down any amendments to so-called Basic Laws, Israel’s quasi-constitution.  

Al Jazeera reported that the provisions of the legislation have been already endorsed by legislators at first reading.  

The other so-called reform that has been proposed is that it would give the 120-member parliament power to overrule any Supreme Court decision with a simple majority of 61 votes. The government has so far stood firm despite the massive uproar over the proposed reforms. They allege that the protests are being fuelled by political opponents.  

Some critics are of the opinion that the changes will destroy the country’s system of checks and balances and concentrate power in the hands of the prime minister and his allies. Whereas some said that Netanyahu is taking out his personal grievance as he is on trial in corruption. On all counts, the Prime Minister of Israel has denied any wrongdoing.  

Justice Minister Yariv Levin earlier said the coalition plans to pass key elements of the reforms before parliament goes into recess on April 2. An Al-Jazeera report suggests that the judicial overhaul is a cornerstone of Netanyahu’s administration, an alliance with ultra-Orthodox Jewish and extreme-right parties which took office in late December. 

Path For Bill To Become Law 

According to The Jerusalem Post, the bill only requires a simple majority to pass, as only part of Israel's Basic Laws require an absolute 61- Members of the Knesset (MK) majority despite it being an amendment to a Basic Law. 

Knesset is the parliament of Israel which has the supreme authority. Notably, the country has a unicameral legislature, unlike many other nations that have bicameral parliament- like India. 

However, as mentioned in the report, Netanyahu and coalition leaders prefer to pass the bill with a 61-MK majority. It is expected that the bill will be appealed to the High Court, which could review whether or not it constitutes an "unconstitutional constitutional amendment," or whether it is a "negative use of constitutional power", the report further stated. 

It is pertinent to note that if passed with a 61-MK majority, the bill will have more chances of remaining intact as government can argue its constitutional validity arguing that it had an absolute majority.