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Israeli protesters blocked highways to Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel Aviv at the start of nationwide demonstrations on Tuesday against the government’s planned judicial reform that has divided the nation.
The demonstrations came in the morning after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s parliamentary coalition gave tentative approval to a bill to limit the oversight powers of the Supreme Court, moving ahead with controversial proposed changes to the judiciary despite broad opposition.
The legislation is one of several bills proposed by Netanyahu’s nationalist and ultra-Orthodox allies. The plan has sparked months of sustained protests by opponents who say it is pushing the country toward authoritarian rule.
Anti-reform activists have called for mass nationwide demonstrations throughout the day, including one at Israel’s main international airport that could disrupt travel.
On Tuesday, 300 reservists from the Army’s Cyber ​​unit signed a letter saying they would not volunteer for service, stating that the government had shown “its intent to destroy the State of Israel.” “Sensitive cyber capabilities with potential for evil should not be given to a criminal government that undermines the foundations of democracy,” the letter said.
Police used water cannons to clear protesters who had blocked the main artery to Jerusalem. Officers arrested several other people who had blocked a highway near the central city of Modi’in.
Protesters blocked a major highway in Haifa with a large banner reading “Together We Will Win”, causing heavy traffic along the seashore.
Police said 42 people were arrested over public disturbances during the protests.
Arnon Bar-David, head of the country’s national workers’ union, the Histadrut, threatened a possible general strike that could cripple the country’s economy.
Bar David said, “If the situation reaches an extreme, we will intervene and use our strength,” calling on Netanyahu to “stop the chaos.” The Histadrut called a general strike in March as the government pushed through the parliament to pass a judicial reform law after weeks of protest. The move shut down large sectors of the Israeli economy and helped lead to Netanyahu’s decision to freeze the legislation.
But he decided to revive it last month after talks with the political opposition broke down with the aim of reaching a compromise.
Netanyahu allies have proposed a series of changes to the Israeli legal system aimed at weakening what they say are the excessive powers of unelected judges. The proposed changes include giving Netanyahu’s allies control over the appointment of judges and giving parliament the power to overrule court decisions.
The Netanyahu government, which took office in December, is the most radical and hardline extremist in Israel’s 75-year history. His allies have proposed sweeping changes to the judiciary after the country held its fifth election in less than four years, all seen as a referendum on Netanyahu’s suitability to serve as prime minister while he is on trial for corruption.
Critics of the judicial reform say it would upend the country’s fragile system of checks and balances and centralize power in the hands of Netanyahu and his allies. They also say Netanyahu has a conflict of interest because he is being prosecuted on charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes, all of which he has denied.
A wide range of Israeli society, including reserve officers, business leaders, LGBT people, and members of other minorities joined the protests.
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