Israel Weekly News Roundup, Jan. 27, 2023
5 Things you need to know
Growing Protest in Israel Against the Proposed Government Moves: More and more professionals join the protests against the revolutionary reforms that Netanyahu’s government are proposing and pushing. That includes high-tech companies who had a strike earlier this week, workers went out to the streets to protest, veteran army pilots, veteran special army units, lawyers, all the TV production markets and many others.
More than 150,000 went to the streets last Saturday night for one of the biggest demonstrations in Tel Aviv and cities all over the country. The slogans were focused on the fear that the new legislation will destroy Israeli democracy and will forever change the rule of law.
Another demonstration is scheduled for this coming Saturday, and is expected to be as big.
All the media in Israel and all the public discourse is dedicated to the legislative procedures, that intend to dramatically change the checks and balances between the Knesset (parliament) and the court, between the political power and the rule of law.
Netanyahu Had to Break With One of his Closest Allies in the Government, Arye Deri, Leader of Sephardi Orthodox Party, Shas: According to the ruling of the High Court of Justice, Deri, who was convicted of tax fraud and received a plea deal on the basis of his promise to resign from his public duties, cannot be a minister. This ruling added to the already heated debate between the government and the court. Many members in the new coalition claim that the court cannot overrule the vote of almost half a million Shas supporters, who wanted Deri as a leading player in the government.
The coalition is trying to find a way to overcome the ruling, through new legislation that will enable Netanyahu to re-nominate Deri as a minister, or by finding a new suitable position for him. So far there are no options on the table, but that may change soon, as Deri insists on being a minister and not just a Knesset member. If that happens, it will be an escalation of tension in the already deep gap and heated debate between the supreme court and the government.
More than 300 top leading economists signed a position paper addressed to PM Netanyahu, warning against the proposed government moves: Included in the list are economists that served in the highest positions in the last years, many that were nominated by PM Netanyahu himself and a Nobel Prize Laureate for economics, Prof. Daniel Kahneman. They all warned him that if the proposed legislation, to change the balance between the political system and the courts continues, it will fatally harm the Israeli economy. They claim that international companies will divest from their investments in Israel and others will not come to invest. They also warned that Israeli credit in the international economy will drop and that will make it very hard for Israeli companies to compete in global markets. Prior to that paper, the Israeli Chair of the Bank of Israel, invited himself to an urgent meeting with PM Netanyahu to warn him of the exact same danger. If the legal reform is approved, courts will no longer be able to protect investments, since the government will be able to overrule and change the game at will.
Some international corporations and funds have already announced they are divesting their assets.
As a response, Netanyahu, together with Minister of the Treasury Smotrich, conducted a press conference and tried to reassure the markets by stating that all the warnings are false and the new legislation will strengthen investors and not weaken their ability. Â It is important to mention that Netanyahu was not accompanied by any economist at his press conference and there was no leading economist that could claim that his predictions are valid. Â
Severe Security Escalation Between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, After A Deadly Military Operation , With 9 Palestinians Killed: According to Israeli militarily sources, Israeli military special units received intelligence information about an Islamic Jihad squad that intended to execute a deadly attack against Israeli civilians. They entered the Palestinian town to catch the operators and prevent the attack. Nine Palestinians, including two non-combatants, one a 60 year old woman, were killed, the highest number in over a year. In response, the Palestinians announced the end of security coordination with Israel. And later Thursday night rockets were shot from Gaza towards southern Israel, and Palestinians clashed with police in East Jerusalem, which raised the level of security alerts in Israel.
Earlier this week, PM Netanyahu met with King Abdullah in Jordan, the first meeting after four years. According to Israeli and Jordanian sources, the two leaders discussed the fragile situation on the Temple Mount, especially towards the approaching Muslim holy month of Ramadan (in March), which usually raises the tension when many young Palestinians are encouraged to go to the streets to confront Israeli police.
President Herzog Addresses European Parliament on International Holocaust Remembrance Day: In his speech, Herzog called for a fight against anti-Semitism and expressions of hatred. Warning against the devastating implications of antisemitism and hatred on democracies, Herzog said: “the anti-Semitic discourse does not only take place in dark regimes, but it also takes place in the heart of the democratic, free West. Hatred of Jews still exists. Anti-Semitism still exists. Holocaust denial still exists."
President Herzog met with the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, where they also discussed the legal reform initiated by the current government. Metsola told Herzog that "the membership between the European Union and Israel is based on shared values of democracy, an open society and the rule of law, which are not taken for granted, and we must continue on this path."
Also marking international holocaust Remembrance Day, a special online event was held for 200 leaders from countries signatory to the Abrahamic Accords. Tel Aviv University published its annual report on Jewish heritage education, titled "For a Righteous Cause," a comprehensive record of global initiatives to preserve Jewish heritage, teach about the Holocaust and combat antisemitism and racism.
For Further Reading:
Protest: Here, here, here, here