Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Sunday night in a spontaneous outburst of anger after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed his defence minister, Yoav Galant, who had called for a pause in the government's contentious judicial overhaul plans. The demonstrations, held in cities across the country, mark the latest escalation in a protest movement that has already drawn hundreds of thousands of people over several months.
At the heart of the dispute are proposals that would allow a simple majority of 61 in the 120-seat Knesset to override almost any Supreme Court ruling and give politicians the power to appoint most justices. The changes, spearheaded by Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Religious Zionist MK Simcha Rothman, have sparked fears of an erosion of democratic norms and the rule of law, as Israel lacks a formal constitution and relies heavily on the court for checks and balances.
The coalition, the most right-wing in Israeli history, has also signalled intentions to pursue full annexation of the occupied West Bank, roll back pro-LGBTQ+ legislation, and loosen rules of engagement for police and soldiers. Critics note that the overhaul could help Netanyahu evade prosecution in his ongoing corruption trial, a charge he denies. The protest movement has drawn unusual pressure from military reservists and the tech sector, while several of Israel's closest allies have voiced alarm.
Despite attempts at compromise brokered by President Isaac Herzog, the government has pushed forward, vowing to pass key parts of the legislation before the Knesset recesses for Passover on 2 April. If enacted in their current form, the plans could trigger an unprecedented constitutional crisis, with the Supreme Court potentially striking down the laws and the government refusing to comply. The instability has also heightened concerns among Palestinians and Israel's adversaries in the region.
