Judicial Reform
“For the opponents of the reform, there are no red lines, including the attempt to harm [Israel’s] international status,” said Eli Cohen.
The most pressing issue—the state budget; the most consequential—judicial reform.
Soldiers up to the rank of lieutenant colonel are allowed to attend political protests so long as they are not identifiable as service members.
“We are working on this matter around the clock, all the time, even today,” added the Israeli prime minister.
Chances of compromise on judicial reform would rise if negotiations were held solely with the National Unity Party, Likud officials say.
“We are told that if the reform passes there will be a dictatorship. There is no bigger lie than that,” Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin told the crowd.
Anti-government protesters were arrested in Tel Aviv after Israel’s economy minister Nir Barkat and his security team were attacked.
Those headed to Jerusalem for the “March of the Million” sought other last-minute transportation options.
The message is reflected in protest placards that read: “They won’t steal the election! March of the Million. Reform Now!”
The “March of the Million” will be held outside the Knesset.
The General Assembly, featured only one session on judicial reform, with exclusively anti-reform panelists. Queried by JNS, JFNA president and CEO Eric Fingerhut explained that the panel—titled, “75 Years of Israeli Democracy: Understanding What’s Motivating the Largest Protest Movement in Israel’s History”—was about the protesters, not the reforms themselves.
“People were shouting things that weren’t of any substance, just to disrupt,” says an audience member.
