Israel Weekly News Roundup, April 28 2023

5 Things you need to know

1. Israel Celebrates Its 75^th Independence Day Amidst Controversy Over Judicial Overhaul:  the passage from Memorial Day to Independence Day is marked by the traditional torch lighting ceremony at Israel’s national cemetery, Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem, presided over by Speaker of the Knesset and attended by the Prime Minister, Chief Justice, ministers, and members of Knesset. For the first time in 75 years, a demonstration was held outside Mt. Herzl and a mass demonstration followed by a street party was held at the same time in Tel Aviv, in protest of the government and the proposed judicial overhaul.

   Other traditional events include the World Bible Quiz, the Israel Prize ceremony, and the Airforce flyovers. Also, in the tradition of Independence Day, world leaders sent their blessings and regards to Israel, on its 75^th anniversary. President Herzog hosted the reception for the diplomatic community at his formal residence.. President Biden also sent his blessings to Israel, while alluding to the current crisis over the judicial overhaul, stating that: ‘The US recognizes the resilience of Israel’s democracy, the bedrock for our robust and special relationship,’

   

2. Israel Marks Memorial Day Amidst Bitter Rift Over Judicial Overhaul: the ceremonies and events marking Memorial Day began with the Israeli Palestinian joint alternative memorial ceremony, on the night preceding the eve of national Memorial Day. Fifteen thousand people attended the biggest ever ceremony since its launch seventeen years ago. Palestinian members of the Israeli Palestinian Bereaved Family Circle were able to enter Israel and participate only after the High Court of Justice ruled, the night before the ceremony, that Israel should allow their entry, despite the general closure of the West Bank.

   Formal Memorial Day events began with a one-minute siren followed by the traditional memorial candle lighting and speech by President Herzog. The following day, following a siren at 11am, ceremonies were held in military cemeteries around the country. For the first time in Israel’s history, bereaved families who oppose the judicial overhaul, asked government ministers, especially those who have not served in the army, to not show up and speak at the ceremonies.  Verbal violence erupted at the Be’er-Sheva military cemetery, where minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (Jewish Power) came to speak, accompanied by judicial overhaul supporters. Bereaved family members chanted a well-known Memorial Day song during his speech, while his supporters applauded him. Another incident took place at the military cemetery plot in the Druze town Ussafiye, where minister of intelligence Gila Gamli’el (Likud) was barred from entering the ceremony. Residents of Ussafiye hung posters outside the cemetery, protesting the government’s discriminatory policies against the Druze community, including the Nation-State Law and the Kaminitz Law, an amendment to the planning law, that limits land use and building permits that predominantly affects Druze and Arab citizens.

   

3. More than 150,000 People, This Was the Turnout at the Right-Wing Demonstration in Jerusalem On Thursday Night: Tens of thousands of people came to Jerusalem to support the government proceeding with the proposed judicial overhaul. The main speaker at the demonstration was the minister of justice, Yariv Levin, who is the leader and the creator of the judicial revolution. Before the Israeli Knesset (parliament) ended the winter session a few weeks ago, PM Netanyahu decided to freeze the legislation, and give a chance to talks with the opposition in order to make an effort at compromise. The discussions are led by the President of Israel in an attempt to reach an agreed-upon solution to the split within Israeli society. This divisive split is reflected in on-going huge demonstrations for the sixteenth week in a row, with a turn-out of hundreds of thousands every week.

   The Knesset will open its summer session next week where the judicial overhaul legislative process is expected to resume.

   

   
   

4. PM Netanyahu Avoided Attending the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations in Tel Aviv at the Last Moment: Delegates of 146 Jewish Federations arrived to Israel during the most tense and polarized reality in Israel’s 75 year history. Prior to the ceremonial opening, demonstrators reached out to the delegates to talk to them about the judicial overhaul and how, if passed, will transform Israel into a dictatorship. During the GA meeting, there was a demonstration outside the site in northern Tel Aviv, and some of the protestors interfered with the panels proceedings by shouting “Democracy”. PM Netanyahu, who usually travels to the US for the GA annual meetings, decided at the last moment to refrain from addressing the forum, saying that it was due to intense schedule conflicts. This is the first time in 15 years that Netanyahu has not either attended in the GA in person or sent a video message. Analysts claim that PM Netanyahu did not want to face the demonstrations inside or outside the GA.

   

5. Republican Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis Is Visiting Israel: DeSantis held a press conference in Jerusalem, in which he condemned antisemitism, and offered strong backing for the Israeli government. DeSantis called Israel “the most valued and trusted ally”. While in Israel, DeSantis met with Isaac Herzog, President of Israel. Gov. DeSantis is visiting Israel during a heated debate over the values of the Disney corporation at Disney World Park in Orlando FL. which clashes with his and Republicans views regarding the LGBTQ community and more. The visit to Jerusalem is part of his international tour, during which he will  also visit South Korea, Japan and the UK.

   

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For Further Reading:

Independence Day: Here, here, here, here

Memorial Day: Here, here, here, here

Right Wing Demonstration: Here, here, here

General Assembly: Here, here, here, here  

DeSantis: Here, here, here, here, here