Following the dismissal of Israel's defense chief for publicly criticizing a proposed Supreme Court reform, thousands of protestors, including some outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's home, took to the streets overnight. The shekel weakened at the Monday opening, and President Isaac Herzog urged Netanyahu to halt the legislation to preserve unity. Protestors clashed with police outside Netanyahu's Jerusalem residence, while others gathered at the defense ministry in Tel Aviv to support the ousted Minister Yoav Gallant and protest against Netanyahu. They blocked a main highway for several hours, brandishing Israeli flags. Netanyahu's decision to fire Gallant came after the defense chief spoke out against the controversial legislation in a televised speech.
Netanyahu's proposed legislation on Supreme Court reform has created deep divisions within Israeli society, resulting in economic turmoil and diplomatic isolation from traditional allies such as the US, UK, Germany, and France. Critics argue that a strong and independent judiciary is fundamental to a healthy democracy. The proposed legislation consists of several bills, with a vote on a key bill expected to take place this week. Despite calls for a pause, two prominent members of Netanyahu's Likud party have stated their intention to support the bill. If passed, the law will give politicians greater power in the selection of judges, including high-court justices, a significant departure from the current system where members of the legal profession and sitting justices hold greater sway.
Advocates of the bill argue that in most democracies, the winning party of an election has the right to choose judges, and that Israel is simply aligning itself with this practice. However, opponents of the bill, including hundreds of thousands of protesters who demonstrate weekly, as well as business, professional, and military leaders, argue that it will give too much power to the ruling party, undermining democracy.
Netanyahu, who returned to office at the end of 2022, leads the most right-wing and religious government in Israeli history. His coalition partners have frequently complained that the Supreme Court impedes their favored policies, such as the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, detaining asylum seekers, and exempting ultra-Orthodox men from military service in order to pursue religious studies.