Protests may intensify in Israel on judicial reform law, President appeals to people for peace

Israel’s parliament on Monday (July 24) passed the controversial judicial reform bill into law. The bill has been approved by all 64 MPs of the ruling hard-right coalition. At the same time, opposition MPs have boycotted it.

Protests against the controversial law have been going on for seven months

Protests against the controversial law have been going on in Israel since the beginning of this year. Protesters claim that this law will curtail the powers of the judiciary in Israel. All the powers will come to the government, due to which it will become autocratic. They have vowed to intensify the demonstrations in the coming times, in view of which the Prime Minister has appealed to maintain peace.

Maintain peace, we should avoid violence’

President Isaac Herzog said on Facebook: “I appeal to everyone to maintain peace. We must keep the boundaries of the dispute and avoid violence.”

Supreme Court’s powers will be weakened by the new law

Among the proposals introduced in Israel’s parliament, one bill would allow Supreme Court rulings to be overturned, while another would give parliament the final say in appointing judges.

Talks also took place between the government and the opposition on this bill, but the matter could not be reached between the two.

Opposition leaders said that the government wants to destroy the country through this bill.

Hearing will be held on September 7

However, the legal battle will only begin next Thursday, when the top court will hear an appeal against the coalition bill approved in March, which limits the terms for the removal of the prime minister. The Supreme Court has set a hearing for Sept. 7 in a case brought by a political watchdog against the government over its failure to convene a panel that selects judges that is supposed to expand Netanyahu’s reforms.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk called on those in power to heed the protesters’ call. They said they stand up for human rights and the democratic space and constitutional balance Israel has worked so hard to build over many decades.

Bad effect on the economy

The schemes have hit the economy with warnings from credit agencies triggering an exodus of foreign investors. S&P Global Ratings said in a report that the ongoing dispute is adding to domestic political uncertainty. Economic growth will be less this year.

Protest leaders say a growing number of military reservists have decided to call off service to express their protest. The Army says that if the no-shows prove prolonged then war preparations will be gradually damaged.