'Israel' falls deeper into rabbit hole: Violent societal fragmentation
4 Min Read
Public outrage erupted after the Knesset passed in a first reading a bill that eliminates the possibility for the judiciary to decide on the “reasonability” of government decisions.
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Israeli occuapation protesters march with torches during a rally against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul in "Tel Aviv", occupied Palestine, on January 7, 2023 (AP)
Israeli settlers flood the streets of "Tel Aviv" and other cities in occupied Palestinian territories on Tuesday to protest against the government's judicial overhaul plans and the undermining of the Israeli Supreme Court.
Al Mayadeen correspondent in occupied Al-Quds reported that a large number of Israeli demonstrators gathered in front of the supreme court building in a show of support for the institution.
A crowd of settlers blocked Kaplan Street in "Tel Aviv", while others are attempting to block the 'Ayalon Highway', the correspondent added.
The protests come after the occupation's Knesset approved on Monday night, in a first reading, a key clause of the judicial reform that limits the powers of the Supreme Court.
While the Knesset was in session to pass the legislation, a number of settlers attempted to storm the hall before being forcibly removed by security guards.
Clashes erupted between illegal Israeli settlers and the occupation security forces after settlers stormed the Knesset as part of their protest against the judicial reforms proposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.#Palestine pic.twitter.com/Vk57FE8GO6
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 10, 2023
Israeli occupation President Isaac Herzog raised the alarm on the ongoing events, stating that, "our weapon of social cohesion is threatened with collapse and erosion."
Read more: On 27th week of protests, Israelis block 'Tel Aviv' main highway
The text, which was approved in a first reading on Monday night, aims to eliminate the possibility for the judiciary to decide on the “reasonability” of government decisions. While the bill faces fierce opposition, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims that it aims to balance the powers by reducing the powers of the occupation's Supreme Court in favor of its Knesset.
The decision caused outrage not only among the public but also a number of military units.
Israeli media reported that many officers in the Air Force said that they will stop flying, while others confirmed that they will cancel volunteering for the reserve service.
According to the media outlets, about 200 reservists are discussing a protest against Netanyahu's reforms, while over a thousand others from Unit 8200 warned they would desert their voluntary service if the reforms move forward.
In turn, opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that "Israel" will become more isolated and divided if the judicial law is passed.
Education Minister and Netanyahu's Likud party member Yoav Kisch said commenting on the protests that "what is happening is terrorism, we will not submit to it."
Over 40 Israeli protesters were arrested in various cities, while law enforcement brought in more forces to disperse the demonstrations.
Officers mounted on horses were deployed to protest sites in attempts physically force settlers away from major roads, while also using high-pressure water cannons.
Israeli media also reported that 12 protesters were trampled by cavalry teams.
اعتقال مستوطن حاول احراق سيارة شرطة خلال التظاهرات الحالية في تل ابيب.
— Hanzala (@Hanzpal2) July 11, 2023
اصابات اخرى بصفوف المستوطنين بقمع الشرطة pic.twitter.com/Hvnh747xf2
Violent clashes took place on Kaplan Street between security agencies and settlers as the number of demonstrators continued to grow.
وسائل إعلام إسرائيلية: مواجهات عنيفة في شارع كابلان في "تل أبيب" والشرطة تستخدم خراطيم المياه باتجاه المتظاهرين.#الميادين#إسرائيل_تتآكل pic.twitter.com/c9gnXwKW07
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) July 11, 2023
Not a star on the US flag
Israeli media quoted Minister of Yamina party Amichai Shikli, as saying, "The United States is fueling the protest in Israel, and [US President Joe] Biden is coordinating with Ehud Barak and Yair Lapid."
Shikli was not the first top Israeli official to accuse Washington of taking part in inciting the anti-government protests.
Last May, Israeli occupation "Justice" Minister Yariv Levin accused Biden's administration of cooperating with anti-judicial overhaul protesters.
In an interview with CNN last week, Biden said that Netanyahu’s coalition government has some “of the most extreme members he’s seen in Israel," adding that "Israel" is “part of the problem [in the West Bank] — particularly those individuals in the [Israeli] cabinet who say… 'we can settle anywhere we want, [and the Palestinians] have no right to be here,'" with several Israeli media outlets saying he was referring here to Police Minister Itmar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Ben-Gvir responded to Biden, saying that "President Biden should understand that we are no longer a star on the American flag."
He also described Biden as "insolent", saying that "even (former president Barack) Obama did not speak this way.”
نقلت وسائل إعلام إسرائيلية عن وزير المساواة الاجتماعية والمتقاعدين عميحاي شيكلي قوله إنّ: "الولايات المتحدة تغذي الاحتجاج في إسرائيل، وبايدن ينسق مع إيهود باراك ويائير لابيد".#الميادين #إسرائيل_تتآكل pic.twitter.com/koiBADHXdV
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) July 11, 2023
