ISAREL: On Saturday, thousands of Israelis demonstrated against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposals to tighten controls on the Supreme Court in advance of Israel Independence Day, which will mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Jewish state.
The plans were put on hold last month due to a wave of strikes and large-scale protests. The most recent demonstrations against them occur as Israelis prepare to observe Israel Independence Day and Israel Memorial Day, which honour those murdered in the country’s wars and terrorist attacks.
“My father was killed in the Yom Kippur War.” “He gave his life for this country because he was raised up with the belief that it’s going to be a democracy,” said Miri Pinchuk, a 53-year-old photographer.
The plans would give the government effective control over Supreme Court judge appointments and allow parliament to overturn numerous court rulings. They have induced one of Israel’s biggest domestic crises in recent history.
The revision is required, according to the government, to rebalance the relationship between the court and elected officials, whom it accuses of usurping the authority of parliament on an increasing basis.
Critics claim it will eliminate crucial checks and balances that support a democratic state and give unchecked power to the administration.
According to a poll released by Israel’s official broadcaster on Friday, 53% of respondents think the measures will be bad for the nation. Additionally, 60% of Israelis claimed that the government does not speak for them, and 48% thought that things would only get worse.
For the sixteenth week in a row, protesters gathered in central Tel Aviv to voice their opposition to proposals they believe pose an existential threat to Israeli democracy. They were carrying Israeli flags in blue and white, which have come to symbolise the three-month-long protests.
Also Read: Protests Reflect How Severely Israelis Distrust their Government: Rothman
