Israeli protesters block highways in ‘day of disruption’

Israeli protesters have taken to the streets once again as President Benjamin Netanyahu pushes forward his controversial plan to overhaul the judiciary system with legislators preparing to ratify one of the contested reform’s bills before parliament goes on summer recess.

During Tuesday’s demonstration – the latest in a months-long wave of protests that has shaken the Israeli capital, Tel Aviv – thousands waving Israeli flags blocked highways and briefly mobbed the stock exchange on a “day of disruption” with hopes of scuppering legislation slated for final voting next week.The reform drive – cast by opponents as curbing court independence and by Netanyahu as balancing branches of government – has set off a six-month constitutional crisis and contributed to United States concerns about Netanyahu’s hard-right coalition.

More specifically, the bill – which was approved in its first reading – would reduce the “reasonability” clause through which the judiciary can strike down government decisions.

It would also give the government a greater say in the appointment of judges. But before becoming law, it needs to be approved in two more votes, expected by the end of the month.

‘No to dictatorship’
“We are here to say to Israel’s government: The more you press, the harder we resist,” Jonathan Eran Kali, a 62-year-old retired tech worker, told Reuters news agency at a demonstration outside the Habima Theatre in Tel Aviv.“We are saying no to dictatorship,” added Kali, who was wearing a hydration pack as a precaution against scorching weather.

Dozens of protesters entered the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, tossing fake banknotes as symbols of corruption. Police reported a half-dozen highway closures by demonstrators and at least 17 arrests.

Medics said a woman was hit by a car and injured.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the government was proceeding with reforms in “measured steps while continuing to call for broad consensus”. He deemed the protesters “a vocal few, inflated by the media”.‘Stop the chaos’
The reform has caused an unprecedented rift within Israeli society with the protest movement showing little sign of abating.

Israel’s national labour union and its medical association have joined a long list of groups speaking out against the bill.

Military reservists, fighter pilots and business leaders have all urged the government to halt the plan.

Arnon Bar-David, the head of the country’s national labour union, the Histadrut, threatened a possible general strike that could paralyse the country’s economy.