Netanyahu greenlights police crack down on Israeli protesters
3 Min Read
Under the pretext of inciting violence against state officials, Netanyahu has directed the police to crack down on the protesters
-
Israeli military reservists protest against the plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government to overhaul the judicial system, on a freeway from "Tel Aviv" to occupied al-Quds, on Feb. 9, 2023 (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed the police to take decisive measures against the violence and violence-incitement in recent large-scale protests against his government's judicial overhaul decision.
"I expect the police and the prosecutor's office to take swift actions against those responsible for the incitement and violence," Netanyahu announced on telegram.
Netanyahu cited a set of incidents: the spiteful graffiti against Justice minister Yariv Levin, threats against the Chairman of the Law and Justice committee Simcha Rothman, and an attack against the minister of the economy Nir Barkat.
Earlier today, the Israeli police started an investigation following the incident with the justice minister: spray-painted near the justice minister's house was graffiti that read "an enemy of the people".
Yesterday, during a meeting held of officials, a protester threw a stone at the meeting room window while the minister of the economy was inside. Additionally, last week, after police reported death threats against him from the police, Rothman refrained from attending a meeting with lawyers of the “Israel” Bar Association in "Tel Aviv."
Read more: Netanyahu slams 'biased' media, calls for talks, opposition rejects
Israeli division grows, opposition against dialogue
The Israeli opposition coalition announced that they will boycott the final voting session in the Knesset on judicial reforms.
However, the opposition failed to fully convene as the Arab parties did not attend the meeting that included Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid, Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beyteinu, Benny Gantz’s National Unity, and Merav Michaeli’s Labor party.
In a joint statement, the parties said there will be no dialogue with the PM until the reforms process stops.
“The unity of the people begins with real dialogue and as long as there is no halt to legislation, talks are just a deception,” the statement said.
“When the president’s outline is presented, we will be happy to address his proposal and we appreciate his efforts to reach negotiations,” it added.
“We will do everything to prevent the passing of the laws, but if God forbid we get to a third reading — we will be a part of this and boycott the vote in the plenary."
The parties called on the government to drop “this crazy collection of laws” and to instead cooperate with them to reach a “comprehensive and balanced constitutional arrangement.”
