Voice of America
28 Mar 2023, 05:06 GMT+10
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday postponed his plan to overhaul the country's judiciary in the face of massive street protests and a nationwide workers' strike opposing it.
Netanyahu said he was ordering the "timeout' on the controversial legislation - apparently until the summer session of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament - in order 'to give a real opportunity for real dialogue.'
The plan called for greater parliamentary control of the judiciary, including the appointment of judges and the right to overturn decisions it did not like.
It has sharply divided the Jewish state and led some reservists to say they would not serve in the Israeli military if it were enacted and claiming that the country was veering toward an autocracy. Meanwhile, elements of Netanyahu's narrow legislative majority have continued to call for its enactment.
In announcing the delay, Netanyahu said, 'One thing I am not willing to accept - there are a minority of extremists that are willing to tear our country to shreds ... escorting us to civil war and calling for refusal of army service, which is a terrible crime.'
Before Netanyahu's announcement, Israeli workers launched a nationwide strike Monday, and tens of thousands of people demonstrated again outside parliament.
The latest demonstrations erupted after Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday, a day after the defense chief expressed his opposition to Netanyahu's proposals.
Mass Protests Erupt After Netanyahu Fires Defense Chief
The work stoppages were widespread, with departing flights grounded from the country's main international airport near Tel Aviv, and large shopping malls and universities also shutting down. Israel's largest trade union called for its 800,000 members - in health, transit, banking and other occupations - to stop work. The main doctors' union said its members would also strike, and the Israeli stock exchange announced it would be closed on Tuesday.
Isaac Herzog, the ceremonial Israeli president, urged Netanyahu to immediately halt the controversial judicial overhaul.
"The entire nation is rapt with deep worry," Herzog said early Monday. "Wake up, now!"
After Netanyahu's announcement, Herzog wrote, 'Stopping the legislation is the right thing. This is the time to start an honest, serious and responsible conversation that will quickly calm [tensions] and lower the flames. For the sake of our unity and for the future of our children, we need to start talking here and now.'
Initially, it was not clear how Netanyahu, on trial for corruption charges that he denies, would respond to calls for a delay. Some members of his Likud Party said they would support him if he postponed his push for the changes.
But he made no major pronouncements early Monday. In the afternoon, he issued his first statement since he fired Gallant, writing on Twitter, 'I call on all protesters in Jerusalem, right and left, to behave responsibly and not act violently."
Gallant warned in a televised statement Saturday that the divide over the issues is "seeping into the military and security agencies," representing a security threat for the country.
Uproar Over Israeli Judicial Changes: What's It All About?
Ultranationalist supporters of the judicial overhaul planned their own demonstration Monday outside the Knesset.
'They won't steal the election from us,' read a flyer for the event, organized by the Religious Zionist Party.
The plan by Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader and now head of the country's most right-wing government ever, has plunged the country into one of its worst domestic crises. The protests have lasted for weeks.
In a recent conversation with Netanyahu, U.S. President Joe Biden called for recognition of democratic norms in Israel, including an independent judiciary, and asked him to reconsider his plans.
National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said Sunday the United States was 'deeply concerned' by the developments.
Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Get a daily dose of San Jose Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to San Jose Sun.
More InformationFreddie Freeman had one of the best seasons of his accomplished career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022 and ...
Chicago White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito didn't hesitate to admit what torpedoed his horrendous start Thursday in Detroit. "Nothing super ...
Bryce Elder has been a pleasant surprise for the Atlanta Braves, who continue their three-game series against the host Oakland ...
Ryan Noda highlighted a four-run fifth inning with a three-run homer as the Oakland Athletics ended an 11-game losing streak, ...
Aaron Judge hit two home runs, giving him an American League-leading 17 this season, as the New York Yankees defeated ...
Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 18 games, J.D. Martinez hit a three-run home run and the Los Angeles ...
BEIJING, China: China will put into commercial operation its first large passenger airliner, in a bid to challenge western plane ...
FRANKFURT, Germany - With U.S. and UK. markets closed for public holidays, it was left to European and broader global ...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The Verge has reported that Verizon Communications met with more than 6,000 customer service employees ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: In response to a safety warning issued by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Vietnamese electric vehicle ...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Electric truck manufacturer Nikola Corp said that Nasdaq has delivered a delisting notice for not ...
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota: Reuters reported that after facing a backlash from customers, Target is pulling some products from its Pride Collection ...