Palestinian Reflections on the Israeli Protests
timesofisrael.com
Protesters turned out by the thousands in Israel to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed changes to the country’s judicial system. Citizens claim that these changes will threaten checks and balances on court ministers, erasing democracy from Israeli Courts. The government also aims to curtail overreach by activist judges, tighten political control over judicial appointments, and limit the powers of the Supreme Court. “They want to turn us into a dictatorship, they want to destroy democracy,” declared Avi Chimi, head of the Israeli Bar Association.
This has been ongoing since early 2023 and includes protests, labour strikes and hunger strikes. As a result of these protests, much of the country has been shut down, such as grounded flights at Ben Gurion airport, and the closures of schools and malls, threatening paralysis to the economy.
They started on January 7 of this year, and continued every Saturday since, in a range of cities, including Arad, Haifa, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv. March 25 saw over 630,000 people in attendance: the largest demonstration in Israel’s history. That following day, Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defence minister was removed from his post by Netanyahu for urging a pause in the plans for judicial reform, which sparked a large gathering in the streets of Jerusalem in an act of spontaneous anger. This was felt not only by civilians but by those in Netanyahu’s ranks. Israeli society emphasises the need for a civilian army and military protection, so the firing of a defence minister led many to believe the Prime Minister is largely pursuing his own motives. Netanyahu’s new proposals have been confusing for some, as he has long been a dedicated supporter of an independent judiciary, and fiercely protective of the Supreme Court. Eli Kowaz, an advisor for the Israeli Policy Forum views this as an attempt “to escape his legal conundrum and three indictments,” following the Prime Minister’s accusations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
Netanyahu’s government has yielded to this pressure. As of March 27, their controversial reforms were postponed, in a hugely controversial reversal for the government. In a television speech, Netanyahu addressed the people, expressing, “When there’s an opportunity to avoid civil war through dialogue, I, as prime minister, am taking a time out for dialogue.”
On the other hand, thousands of pro-government protestors also took to the streets to rally in support of the government. The largest protests in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv prompted threats of violence between the opposing groups. Social media is circulating videos and reports that these right-wing groups confronted several individuals. The majority of those injured are Palestinian, though, including taxi drivers and teenagers simply passing by.
Palestinians, who comprise 20% of the population in Israel, have been largely detached from these protests to date, despite Netanyahu’s government’s largely anti-Arab sentiments. Palestinian communities have been facing increasing violence from the Israeli Defence Forces as of late, but these protests concern the fate of the judiciary – not Israel’s control of the Palestinians. The proposed changes in Tel Aviv mainly impact the Israeli population, and Palestinians largely deem that this proposed reform by the government subjects Israelis to what has long been a reality for the Palestinians.
According to political activist Abed Shehade, “What happens in the West Bank and Gaza resonates for us in a way it doesn’t for them… There’s no sense among the people demonstrating that they understand what’s happening in politics now is a logical development in a society that systematically oppresses.” Many Palestinians are now comparing these divisions to their own experiences, such as the split between Hamas in Gaza and Fatah on the West Bank – a divide that Israel is deemed to fuel to dwindle Palestinian aspirations for statehood. Earlier this month, Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s finance minister denied their existence, stating: “There is no such thing as a Palestinian people.”
Gaza resident Hani Abu Tarabeesh compares Palestinian oppression to Israel’s factional split: “what’s happening in Israel – they deserve it. Just like they divided us, they are now getting divided.”
Further, international disdain for Netanyahu’s actions is growing. Haken Sherif, a resident of Egypt, a country that signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, described Israel as illegitimate and criticized its treatment of the Palestinian communities. The United Arab Emirates, which normalized ties with Israel through the 2020 Abraham Accords, is beginning to express some disdain. Whilst maintaining a free trade agreement with the Israel, Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, an Emirati commentator did note that “racist statements” from Israeli politicians and people have raised concern.
Overall, Palestinians are hopeful that growing disdain for Netanyahu’s government could signify a step closer to their liberation. Qusai al-Quasi, a Jordanian national, voices growing hopes within the Arab world, “I think this is the beginning of the end of Israel, God willing.”
by Carolina Beirne