Israeli settlers kick off 19th week of protests

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
14 May 10:40

About 74% of Israelis have expressed discontent towards the cabinet's political conduct, a poll conducted by Israeli-based KAN 11 television channel revealed last week.

People hold Israeli flags during a demonstration, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nationalist coalition government presses on with its contentious judicial overhaul, in "Tel Aviv", "Israel", March 18, 2023. (Reuters)

Protests in "Israel" over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's extremist cabinet and judicial overhaul plans have kicked off their 19th consecutive week on Saturday, with thousands of protesters holding rallies across the occupied territories, including Tel Aviv.

"If life is still going on, it means that we are going to keep the protests and we are going to do whatever we are doing every other week...," a protester told Reuters.

Protests in Haifa, Israel. Gesher Tzar Meod! 🎵 pic.twitter.com/5kbG2P0SEY
— Yaël יעל #justice צדק🟦 (@metuka49) May 13, 2023

The controversial judicial reform plan which has shaken "Israel" over the past months is intended to channel more leverage in the decision-making of Netanyahu's cabinet over the makeup of the regime's Supreme Court.

This implies that the Supreme Court will be stripped of the ability to overrule the decisions politicians make.

Those who support the reforms say that the plan is intended to establish a balance of power between the far-right cabinet and the Court. Others argue that the judicial overhaul is aimed at tilting the balance of power in favor of extremist ministers.

The demonstrations began in January this year when the Israeli cabinet said it greenlit the decision to proceed with the plan.

Since then, protests remained ongoing, even after Netanyahu announced a break in the proceedings to allow further debate on the plans.

Among the protesters figure some members of the occupation forces who expressed their refusal to serve, whilst several key leaders in the high-tech industry have also outwardly expressed their rejection of the judicial overhaul.

The cabinet, which is made up of Netanyahu's Likud party and several ultra-Orthodox political allies, vowed to proceed with the plan.

The protests have also been triggered by a massive wave of discontent among Israeli settlers with regard to the cabinet's overall performance.

About 74% of Israelis have expressed discontent towards the cabinet's political conduct, a poll conducted by Israeli-based KAN 11 television channel revealed last week.

'Israel' Eroding From Within

For months, upheaval and chaos took the Israeli occupation entity by storm. Violent clashes erupted between the opposition and police, as Israeli settlers protest against the government’s judicial reforms. Appeals for civil disobedience and riots have been met with stern warnings from both sides, as political rifts are widening and warning against the outbreak of a “civil war”.