Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged on Thursday to restore unity in Israel, where divisions have widened over his government’s judicial reform programme. Police fired water‑cannon at protesters blocking a highway in Tel Aviv, reflecting the intensity of the unrest. Demonstrators fear the proposed reforms—meant to increase politicians’ power over the courts—threaten Israeli democracy. Israel’s allies abroad have also voiced concerns about the overhaul.
Tens of thousands of Israelis protested in Tel Aviv and other cities, according to Israeli media crowd estimates. Similar‑sized demonstrations have taken to the streets repeatedly over the past few months since the proposals were introduced. In a televised address, Netanyahu said he was determined to advance the reforms but wanted a solution acceptable to both supporters and critics. “The opponents of the reform are not traitors. Partisans are not fascists,” he said. “I will do everything to bring calm and end division among the people.” His remarks came after months of protest and objections from high‑level officials.
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who has backed calls to pause the legislative process for dialogue with opponents, cancelled a planned address to the nation on Thursday evening after meeting with Netanyahu, shortly before the premier went on TV. Earlier that day, lawmakers approved legislation restricting the grounds for declaring a premier unfit for office—a move opposition chief Yair Lapid called “a personal law” to protect Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption he denies.
Last week, President Isaac Herzog, whose role is largely symbolic, expressed concern over the deepening societal rift and presented a proposed compromise, which the government rejected. “Anyone who thinks that a genuine civil war, with human lives, is a line we could never reach has no idea what they are talking about,” Herzog cautioned. On Thursday, demonstrator Nadav Golander, 37, warned of a “dictatorship” if the government presses forward with its agenda. Many protesters carried Israeli flags, and some clashed with officers. Police reported at least ten arrests in Tel Aviv for alleged public‑order offences. Thousands also rallied in Jerusalem outside Netanyahu’s residence, as well as in Haifa and Beersheba, according to Israeli media.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin announced the reforms in January, days after Netanyahu’s coalition—comprising ultra‑Orthodox and extreme‑right allies—took office. Netanyahu and his allies argue the changes are necessary to diminish the Supreme Court’s powers, which they claim have become politicised. Opposition members have refused to negotiate with the coalition, demanding a complete freeze on all legislation related to the judicial reform.
In a Sunday call with Netanyahu, U.S. President Joe Biden voiced support for a “compromise” and stressed the importance of genuine checks and balances, the White House said. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had urged Netanyahu to reconsider Herzog’s compromise proposal. On Monday, the ruling coalition presented an amended version of a key element of the overhaul ahead of votes planned before parliament recesses next week. Other pieces of the reform package will wait until the summer session to enable “real dialogue” with the opposition, coalition parties said in a joint statement.
The new version of the bill on judicial appointments would place more lawmakers and members of the judiciary on the selection panel than the initial text. Opponents accuse Netanyahu of using the reforms to quash possible judgments against him, an accusation he rejects. On Thursday, lawmakers voted 61‑47 to amend one of Israel’s Basic Laws, specifying the conditions for temporarily removing a prime minister. The previous law allowed a premier to be declared incapacitated without defining grounds or steps. The amendment requires a request by the prime minister or a government vote backed by a three‑quarter majority of ministers, and limits removal to mental or physical health reasons. “The law de facto limits the possibility of declaring a prime minister incapacitated to exercise their functions,” said Guy Lurie, a researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute. “Reasons other than those specified in the amendment will no longer be admissible,” he told AFP.
Some opposition figures and civil‑society groups have argued that Netanyahu should be declared unfit to serve, citing his ongoing trial. He denies the charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
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