TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial plans to weaken the country’s judiciary will be put on hold after mass protests and strikes drove the country to a standstill, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir announced on Monday.
The legislation will be postponed until the next legislative term, after the Passover recess in April, Gvir’s Jewish Power party said in a statement.
The statement comes as several parts of Israel have been brought to a standstill after the country’s trade union federation announced a “historic” strike on Monday to protest the plan. Workers from several sectors have joined the strike, shutting down transportation, universities, restaurants, and retailers in protest.
Netanyahu himself has not commented on the legislation delay. A nationwide strike on Monday saw workers in virtually every major sector walk out, and protest demonstrations clogged streets and rammed city centers across Israel, demanding an end to the proposed bill.
Mass protests and strikes
On Monday, Gvir insisted that the judicial overhaul legislation would still come to a vote in the summer term of the parliament.
He added that he had “PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s commitment that the overhaul legislation will be brought to the parliament for approval in the next session if no deals are reached during the recess.”
As protests have intensified, US President Joe Biden’s administration has steadily increased its rhetoric on the situation, including saying on Sunday it was watching the situation with “concern” after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired his defense minister who opposed the proposed reforms.
A statement from the United States national security council said that checks and balances strengthen democratic societies, and basic changes to a democratic system must be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support.
As of Monday morning, Joe Biden himself has yet to speak publicly over the matter, preferring to voice his deep concern regarding the judicial proposals directly to Benjamin Netanyahu, including during their phone call last week. He declined to answer questions regarding Israel as he returned to the White House on Sunday evening. A US official said Joe Biden is likely to have another call with Benjamin Netanyahu in the coming days but cautioned that the timing was fluid.
Some progressive groups have called on the President Biden administration to come out more forcefully against Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans, arguing the weight of the American presidency could help sway events.
