Netanyahu vows unity as Israelis mass against justice reforms

Defence Minister Yoav Galant has warned the Prime Minister that the deep public discord in Israel was threatening security.

Israeli police turn water cannon on protesters in Tel Aviv on Thursday. Picture: AFP

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged on Thursday to restore unity in Israel where divisions have widened over his government’s judicial reform program and police fired water cannon at protesters blocking a highway in Tel Aviv.

Demonstrators fear the proposed reforms, which would increase the power of politicians over the courts and are already moving through parliament, are a threat to Israeli democracy.

Israel’s allies abroad have also raised concerns about the overhaul. Tens of thousands of Israelis protested in Tel Aviv and other cities, according to crowd estimates by Israeli media.

Similar-sized crowds have taken to the streets on other occasions during routine protests over the past few months since the proposals were introduced.

Mr Netanyahu, in a televised address, said he was determined to advance the reforms but wanted to reach a solution acceptable to both supporters and critics of the proposal.

“The opponents of the reform are not traitors. Partisans are not fascists,” he said.

“I will do everything, everything, to bring calm and end division among the people” after months of protest, including objections from high-level officials.

Defence Minister Yoav Galant had warned Mr Netanyahu that the deep public discord in Israel was threatening security. Mr Galant, who has backed calls to pause the legislative process for dialogue with its opponents, cancelled a planned address to the nation on Thursday evening after a meeting with Mr Netanyahu, shortly before the Prime Minister went on TV.

Lawmakers earlier on Thursday approved legislation restricting grounds for declaring a prime minister unfit for office, a move opposition chief Yair Lapid called “a personal law” to protect Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption which he denies.

Last week, President Isaac Herzog, who holds a largely symbolic role, expressed concern over the deepening rift in society and presented a proposed compromise. The government rejected it. “Anyone who thinks that a genuine civil war, with human lives, is a line that we could never reach, has no idea what they are talking about,” Mr Herzog cautioned.

On Thursday one demonstrator, Nadav Golander, 37, warned of a “dictatorship” if the government presses forward with its agenda.

Many demonstrators carried Israeli flags and some clashed with officers. Police reported at least 10 arrests in Tel Aviv over alleged public order offences.

Thousands also rallied in Jerusalem outside Mr Netanyahu’s residence as well as in the northern city of Haifa and southern Beersheba.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin announced the reforms in January, days after Mr Netanyahu’s government took office, a coalition with ultra-Orthodox Jewish and rightwing allies.

Mr Netanyahu and his allies say the proposed changes are necessary to diminish the powers of the Supreme Court, which they argue has become politicised.

Members of the opposition have refused to negotiate with the coalition, demanding a complete freeze on all legislation related to the judicial reform.

In a call on Sunday with Mr Netanyahu, US President Joe Biden voiced support for a “compromise” and stressed the importance of “genuine checks and balances”, the White House said.

AFP