Israel faces massive protests and port closures over judicial reforms
After Germany and France, Israel’s sea, land, and air were also paralyzed. According to reports, on the evening of March 27 local time, in order to protest against Netanyahu’s judicial reforms, Israel broke out the largest protest demonstration in the history of the country. 630,000 people went to the streets of many cities, making Israel almost Paralyzed.
It is understood that 630,000 people went to the streets of many cities on the evening of the 26th to protest after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu dismissed Defense Minister Gallant who opposed the judicial reform. In Jerusalem, protesters stormed Netanyahu’s residence and once broke through the cordon, leading to fierce confrontations between the police and the people. It was the largest protest in Israel’s history. According to the BBC, after Gallant was fired, the Israel General Federation of Labour, which represents hundreds of thousands of public sector employees, called for a nationwide strike starting on the 27th. Immediately, the Israel Airports Authority stated that due to the strikes held by domestic people protesting judicial reforms, flights from this country’s main international airports have been grounded, and thousands of people are expected to be affected by the flight changes.
In addition, workers at Haifa and Ashdod, Israel’s two main ports, also went on strike on March 27, and the ports were closed. The exact duration of the strike was unclear, but some media sources said it would continue until further notice. The action could affect the loading and unloading of cargo ships and other port activities, as could passenger ferries and cruise ships. It is reported that since the Netanyahu government came to power more than three months, it has strongly promoted an agenda dominated by far-right values in internal affairs and foreign affairs. Internally, the wave of protests against judicial reform has continued to rise, and externally, the situation in Palestine and Israel has seriously deteriorated.
The White House also said they were deeply concerned about the crisis facing Israel. Defense Minister Gallant, an important member of the new government, warned before his dismissal that the social divisions caused by judicial reform are seeping into the army and security agencies, which poses a clear, immediate, and present threat to Israel’s national security. Many analysts speculate that Israel’s political situation is in crisis, which may bring huge new variables to the situation in the Middle East.
Israel faces the worst crisis in 75 years
According to a CNN report on the 27th, former Israeli Prime Minister Barak bombarded the current Netanyahu government for pushing for judicial reform and said that Israel has encountered the worst crisis in 75 years. According to Reuters, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office issued a statement on the evening of the 26th saying that Prime Minister Netanyahu decided to fire Defense Minister Gallant that night. The statement did not identify Gallant’s replacement or provide any other details. After the news spread, thousands of protesters took to the streets in the dead of night across Israel. According to the figures provided by the organizers, the total number of people who participated in the protest that night was as high as 630,000.
In Jerusalem, protesters gathered outside Netanyahu’s residence. Police used water cannons to drive protesters away from Netanyahu’s residence. Defense Minister Gallant, a key member of Netanyahu’s government, has been concerned about controversial judicial reforms. On the previous day (25th), Gallant publicly called on Netanyahu to suspend the promotion of judicial reform. Gallant said in a TV program that day that the fierce controversy surrounding judicial reform was posing a threat to national security.
Since the Netanyahu government came to power at the end of last year, it has pushed for judicial reform internally, including allowing parliament to veto Supreme Court decisions with a simple majority and giving the government greater power in appointing judges. The above measures met with fierce opposition as soon as they were announced. Large-scale protest demonstrations have occurred in Israel almost every week since early January.
