Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing mounting public protests against his proposed overhaul of the country’s court system. Despite growing opposition, Netanyahu has vowed to push forward with his plan to expand the power of the executive branch over the judiciary.
The protests, which have drawn thousands of Israelis to the streets, began after Netanyahu was indicted on corruption charges in 2019. The prime minister has accused the judiciary of bias against him and has sought to weaken the court’s authority.
Netanyahu’s plan would give the government greater control over the appointment of judges and reduce the power of Israel’s Supreme Court to overturn legislation. Critics argue that the changes would undermine the independence of the judiciary and threaten Israel’s democratic institutions.
The proposed reforms have also drawn criticism from international human rights groups, who say that they would violate the principle of separation of powers and undermine the rule of law.
Despite the opposition, Netanyahu has remained steadfast in his support for the reforms. In a statement to reporters on Monday, he accused his opponents of seeking to protect “the interests of the old elites” and said that the proposed changes would ensure a “strong and independent judicial system.”
Netanyahu’s stance has drawn comparisons to his close ally, former U.S. President Donald Trump, who also sought to undermine the independence of the judiciary during his time in office. Trump’s efforts to pack the U.S. Supreme Court with conservative justices and attack judges who ruled against him were widely criticized as an attack on the rule of law.
Some analysts have suggested that Netanyahu’s push to weaken the court system is a bid to protect himself from the corruption charges he faces. If his proposed reforms are successful, they say, it could make it easier for him to avoid conviction and remain in power.
However, many Israelis are increasingly fed up with Netanyahu’s attempts to cling to power and the corruption allegations against him. The ongoing protests have highlighted growing frustration with his leadership and a desire for change in Israeli politics.
The situation is likely to remain tense in the coming weeks as Netanyahu continues to face pressure from both domestic and international critics. With Israel’s future as a democratic state at stake, the outcome of this battle between the prime minister and the judiciary could have significant implications for the country’s future.