The mobilization continues. Thousands of Israelis gathered Saturday, April 1 in Tel Aviv for the thirteenth consecutive week to protest against the justice reform project, despite the "pause" in the legislative process decided by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Waving Israeli flags, protesters marched through the center of the city chanting "democracy" and carrying placards against the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, one of the most right-wing in Israel's history. Smaller rallies were held in other cities across the country.
Since the announcement of the reform project in early January, tens of thousands of Israelis have demonstrated every week to denounce the project and to condemn the government formed in December by Benjamin Netanyahu.
A legislative "pause" was announced on March 27 by the head of the Israeli government to give a "chance [...] dialogue", after a day of intensification of protests, the beginning of a general strike and the appearance of tensions within the majority, triggered in particular by the announcement of the dismissal of the Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, who had declared himself in favour of a "pause".
Mediation by President Isaac Herzog
For the government, the reform aims, among other things, to rebalance powers by reducing the prerogatives of the Supreme Court, which the executive considers politicized, to the benefit of Parliament.
Critics of the reform, on the contrary, believe that it risks jeopardizing Israel's democratic principles by blowing up safeguards. They fear that it will pave the way for an illiberal or authoritarian drift.
A meeting took place on 28 March between representatives of the majority and the two main opposition parties, mediated under the auspices of President Isaac Herzog. However, several political analysts and opposition leaders are sceptical about the chances of success of the presidential mediation.
Yoav Gallant, who has not yet received the official letter of dismissal required by law, continues to perform his duties normally in the government.
With AFP
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