Ex-Defense Minister rails against ‘dictatorship of criminals’ at Tel Aviv mass rally
An estimated 130,000 people demonstrated in different cities across Israel on Saturday against the government's judicial reforms.
Former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon slammed the government as a “dictatorship of criminals” at at mass demonstration in Tel Aviv on Saturday.
Some 130,000 demonstrators gathered across Israel on Saturday, protesting against the government’s planned judicial reforms aimed at politicising and weakening the High Court of Justice.
The biggest demonstrations were held in Tel Aviv, with one taking place at the Habima Square, while the majority of people marched from the nearby Kaplan Street all the way to Ayalon Highway. Roughly 120,000 demonstrated in Tel Aviv.
This marks the biggest demonstration against the government’s judicial reform plans yet. Thousands demonstrated in Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheba as well.
Thousands of Israelis demonstrating for third week in a row against government’s plan to weaken Supreme Court. Demonstrators have blocked one of the busiest highways in Israel. More demos held in Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheba. Roughly 100,000 expected in Tel Aviv pic.twitter.com/LZS5etBGLX
— Jotam Confino (@mrconfino) January 21, 2023
“A state in which the prime minister will appoint all of the judges, there’s a name for it: dictatorship. If there’s a country in the world that cannot afford to have the Court destroyed and have democracy turn into dictatorship, it’s Israel,” Ya’alon, who served as Vice Prime Minister and Defense Minister under Prime Minister Netanyahu from 2009-2016, said in a speech at the rally.
Opposition lawmakers also joined the rally, including opposition leader Yair Lapid, who didn’t attend the previous demonstrations.
“They’re people here who love Israel, who came to demonstrate for a democratic Jewish state according to the values of the Declaration of Independence. We will not give up until we win,” Lapid said.
“Palestinian Lives Matter” protesters also joined the rally in Tel Aviv, waving Palestinian flags and chanting “end the occupation.” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has previously instructed Police to arrest anyone waving Palestinian flags at demonstrations.
Netanyahu has vowed not to be deterred by the mass demonstrations, arguing that the judicial reforms will “strengthen” Israel’s democracy, allowing the government to do what it was elected for.
The reforms will prevent the High Court from striking down legislation passed in Knesset, as well give the government the power to appoint High Court judges.
The rift between the government and High Court deepened this week when it ruled that Shas party leader Arieh Dery was unfit to serve as minister in Netanyhau’s government, due to his criminal past.
Netanyahu is obligated to fire Dery but is yet to do that. Dery, meanwhile, is planning to attend Sunday’s cabinet meeting, according to a report by Kan public broadcaster.
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