Israeli media: US statement on protests unprecedented for 'Israel'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
11 Jul 2023 23:24

Israeli media report that several reservists from numerous Israeli occupation military units threatened to stop showing up for duty over the judicial overhaul.

Israeli protesters demonstrate against the judicial overhaul outside the US embassy branch office in "Tel Aviv", on July 11, 2023 (AFP)

Israeli media touched on US-Israeli relations amid internal division in Israeli society and widespread demonstrations in rejection of the Israeli occupation government's plans to approve judicial reforms that opponents argue would limit the powers of the Supreme Court.

Earlier, Israeli journalist Barak Ravid tweeted that a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council told him: "We urge authorities in Israel to protect & respect the right of peaceful assembly."

Ravid suggested that "the White House statement is very unusual when it comes to an ally like Israel."

Why it matters: The White House statement is very unusual when it comes to an ally like Israel and shows the growing concern of the Biden administration about the escalating internal unrest in the country and its consequences for the Israeli democracy https://t.co/dNt5UTvvNk
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) July 11, 2023

According to the Israeli journalist, the US statement "shows the growing concern of the Biden administration about the escalating internal unrest" in "Israel" and its consequences for the so-called "Israeli democracy".

Ravid cited the White House National Security Council spokesperson as saying that "the Biden administration continues to urge the Israeli government to stop the unilateral legislation process and seek a consensus-based approach toward judicial reform."

It is noteworthy that in late March, US President Joe Biden urged Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "walk away" from the judicial overhaul legislation, warning that "Israel" "cannot continue down this road."

When asked whether he would be inviting Netanyahu to the White House, the US President said, "Not in the near term."

A rare public exchange took place between Benjamin Netanyahu and #JoeBiden which signaled rising tension between "Israel" and the US, two close allies, over the Israeli Prime Minister's judicial reforms. pic.twitter.com/6OoTpgq6KR
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 29, 2023

The Israeli Walla news website considered that "it is inconceivable that we have reached the day when the White House issues such a statement about Israel regarding the right to peaceful protest," deeming it "an unprecedented for Israeli democracy."

On its part, the Israeli Makan TV mentioned that the US embassy will remain without an ambassador after the end of Ambassador Tom Nides' term.

Earlier, Israeli media reported that thousands of Israeli settlers protested at Ben Gurion Airport in "Tel Aviv" over the Israeli occupation's government plans to approve a judicial overhaul.

The Israeli Channel 12 reported that the demonstrators blocked a section of the entrances to the airport, suggesting that more than 10,000 settlers were protesting in the area.

The Israeli Kan channel noted that the number of injuries among demonstrators due to clashes with Israeli police reached 13, while the Israeli police said it arrested 71 settlers.

Channel 12 cited reporters at the Ben Gurion Airport as saying that "the worst of the airport crowding is over," noting that demonstrators likely headed to Tuesday night's main protest on "Kaplan Street" in "Tel Aviv".

Mass demonstrations also took place in several occupied Palestinian cities, as anti-overhaul settlers blocked major highways and intersections and clashed with Israeli police who used horses and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators.

Al Mayadeen correspondent in occupied Al-Quds reported that a large number of Israeli demonstrators gathered in front of the Israeli Supreme Court building in a show of support for the institution.

On its part, the White House called on Israeli occupation authorities "to protect and respect the right of peaceful assembly."

On Monday night, the Israeli Knesset approved, in a first reading, a key clause of the judicial reform that limits the powers of the Supreme Court. The judicial reform plan had, over the past months, led to a series of settler protests across occupied Palestine.

The text aims to eliminate the possibility for the judiciary to decide on the "reasonability" of government decisions.

While the bill faces fierce opposition, Israeli occupation 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 text was approved during a turbulent session. The Netanyahu coalition had unanimously voted for the bill while the opposition unanimously voted against it, marking the votes 64 to 56 in favor of the coalition.

The text affects the appointment of ministers. In January, an Israeli Supreme Court decision forced Netanyahu to dismiss the second-in-command in the government, Aryeh Deri, convicted of tax evasion.

Israeli media reported on Monday that settlers attempted to storm the Knesset in protest against the judicial amendments, noting that the guards forcibly removed them.

'On the path to civil war': Gantz

In the same context, Israeli media reported that tens of thousands of demonstrators are protesting in "Tel Aviv", occupied Al-Quds, and Haifa this evening.

The Israeli Channel 12 reported that "Ayalon Avenue" in "Tel Aviv" was blocked by demonstrators and that the police were trying to reopen it.

With the continuation of the demonstrations and the exacerbation of the state of tension, Channel 12 quoted Knesset member and former deputy director of Mossad, Ram Ben Barak, as saying, "If I were in the army today, I would not have served as a reserve" in protest of the judicial overhaul.

Israeli media reported that several reservists from numerous Israeli occupation military units threatened to stop showing up for duty over the current debate.

Touching on calls by occupation military reservists to refuse to show up for duty, Israeli occupation Security Minister Yoav Gallant considered that "calls that are being heard these days encouraging refusal and halting the volunteering of reservists threaten the unity of the ranks, are dangerous, and are a reward for our enemy."

The Israeli news website Maariv reported that a senior officer in the Israeli Air Force had terminated his reserve service in protest of the judicial amendment.

Meanwhile, Israeli media cited opposition figure and former Security Minister Benny Gantz as saying, "We are on the path to civil war, and we call on Netanyahu to stop the judicial reforms."