Protests in Israel as Prime Minister Attempts to Make Changes to Judiciary
2023-03-28
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1In Israel, thousands of protesters demonstrated Sunday and Monday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to make changes to the nation's top court.
2People walked the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, waving white and blue Israeli flags.
3Many workers did not go to their jobs on Monday and Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv suspended outgoing flights.
4The leader of Israel's largest worker's group is Arnon Bar-David.
5"Bring back the country's sanity," he said.
6Netanyahu's conservative coalition government says Israel's Supreme Court has too much power.
7The changes would permit leaders in parliament, known as the Knesset, to appoint judges and also restrict the court's ability to rule against the government.
8The plan would give lawmakers greater power in appointing new judges.
9Those in the conservative government say the court is often putting the rights of minorities ahead of the nation's interests.
10The current rule in Israel requires agreement on new judges from a group that includes politicians and judges.
11The new plan would permit government leaders to name the judges.
12Netanyahu said the plan would balance the court. Critics, however, say he wants his government to be able to change the group of judges because he is facing an ongoing legal case.
13Netanyahu is barred from involvement in the planned changes.
14One member of the government, Yoav Gallant, was dismissed as defense minister for opposing the plan. Some Israelis worried about the country's armed forces without the top government leader.
15Netanyahu was supposed to make a television appearance on Monday announcing the changes, but it was postponed.
16He made a statement on Twitter, asking protesters "to behave responsibly and to not act violently. We are brotherly people," he said.
17It is not clear when the Prime Minister will push again for the changes, some think it might be after parliament returns on April 30 after the Jewish Passover holiday.
18The Israeli president is Isaac Herzog.
19In Israel, that position does not have much power.
20However, Herzog said: "For the sake of the unity of the people of Israel, I call on you to stop the legislative process immediately."
21Israel does not have a strong system of "checks and balances" where the parliament and the judiciary have different and balanced powers.
22In fact, Israel does not have a written constitution, only "basic laws."
23Critics say the ruling Likud party, led by Netanyahu, would become too strong if the changes are enacted.
24Matityahu Sperber, who is 68, was walking to a protest outside the Knesset.
25Sperber told the Associated Press: "This is the last chance to stop this move into a dictatorship. I'm here to fight to the end."
26I'm Dan Friedell.
1In Israel, thousands of protesters demonstrated Sunday and Monday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to make changes to the nation's top court. 2People walked the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, waving white and blue Israeli flags. Many workers did not go to their jobs on Monday and Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv suspended outgoing flights. 3The leader of Israel's largest worker's group is Arnon Bar-David. "Bring back the country's sanity," he said. 4Netanyahu's conservative coalition government says Israel's Supreme Court has too much power. The changes would permit leaders in parliament, known as the Knesset, to appoint judges and also restrict the court's ability to rule against the government. The plan would give lawmakers greater power in appointing new judges. 5Those in the conservative government say the court is often putting the rights of minorities ahead of the nation's interests. 6The current rule in Israel requires agreement on new judges from a group that includes politicians and judges. The new plan would permit government leaders to name the judges. 7Netanyahu said the plan would balance the court. Critics, however, say he wants his government to be able to change the group of judges because he is facing an ongoing legal case. Netanyahu is barred from involvement in the planned changes. 8One member of the government, Yoav Gallant, was dismissed as defense minister for opposing the plan. Some Israelis worried about the country's armed forces without the top government leader. 9Netanyahu was supposed to make a television appearance on Monday announcing the changes, but it was postponed. He made a statement on Twitter, asking protesters "to behave responsibly and to not act violently. We are brotherly people," he said. 10It is not clear when the Prime Minister will push again for the changes, some think it might be after parliament returns on April 30 after the Jewish Passover holiday. 11The Israeli president is Isaac Herzog. In Israel, that position does not have much power. However, Herzog said: "For the sake of the unity of the people of Israel, I call on you to stop the legislative process immediately." 12Why are Israelis concerned? 13Israel does not have a strong system of "checks and balances" where the parliament and the judiciary have different and balanced powers. In fact, Israel does not have a written constitution, only "basic laws." 14Critics say the ruling Likud party, led by Netanyahu, would become too strong if the changes are enacted. 15Matityahu Sperber, who is 68, was walking to a protest outside the Knesset. Sperber told the Associated Press: "This is the last chance to stop this move into a dictatorship. I'm here to fight to the end." 16I'm Dan Friedell. 17Dan Friedell adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reports by Reuters and the Associated Press. 18________________________________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20sanity -n. the condition of basing decisions on reason and good judgement 21sake -n. for the good of someone or something 22________________________________________________________________ 23We want to hear from you. What do you think will happen in Israel? 24We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 25Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.