The struggle over the standard of reasonableness applied by the judiciary to the executive branch of government reaches its climax today and tomorrow. Revocation of the standard is the government’s first step in a planned reform of Israel’s judicial system. With thousands of demonstrators demonstrating outside the Knesset, and after a night that saw large rallies against the legislation across Israel, a massive march of tens of thousands of people to Jerusalem, and the erection of a “tent city” in Jerusalem’s Sacher Park, near the Knesset and Supreme Court, the Knesset plenum began its debate before voting on the government’s decisions in the second and third readings on the government’s decision to review the bans.
The debate opened at 10:00 am today by Simcha Rothman (Religious Zionist Party), chair of the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee and one of the bill’s main proponents. Voting is scheduled for tomorrow (Monday) at 12:00.
Supporters of the Judicial Reform Program are planning a demonstration on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv this evening at 18:00. Among the speakers slated for the meeting are Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Education Yoav Kisch, Minister of Regional Cooperation David Amsalem, Professor Talia Einhorn, and Al-Mohammed. Kinneret Al-Barashy. Justice Minister Yariv Levin and MK Sinsha Rothman will speak from the Knesset.
The Israeli Business Forum, consisting of senior managers of several of the country’s largest companies, is holding an emergency meeting this morning on ways to continue its campaign against continued judicial reform legislation and return to dialogue between the government and the opposition. More than 200 technology companies and venture capital funds have announced that they will take part in protest activities today. They have given workers a full or partial day off, and are organizing buses to transport employees who want to take part in the protest demonstration outside the Knesset. Twenty of Israel’s largest law firms have announced similar moves.
Meanwhile, a collective prayer was held this morning at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, with the participation of supporters and opponents of judicial reform, calling for broad consensus and avoiding division in the nation. MK Benny Gantz, leader of the opposition National Unity Party, also went to the Western Wall this morning.
Over the weekend, an additional 1,142 Airmen and other Air Force reservists announced that they would stop volunteering for reserve duty. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant expressed concern over the reservists’ remarks, and said he was working to delay the legislation in the Knesset and extend the summer session. At the moment, there are no indications of support for such a move, either from the coalition or from the opposition.
Published by Globes, Israel business news – en.globes.co.il – on July 23, 2023.
© Copyright Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd., 2023.