Tensions rise in the Zionist entity as Israelis are gearing up on Tuesday for another ‘disruption day’ to protest the Israeli government’s planned drastic overhaul of the judiciary.
The campaign to disrupt daily life across the Zionist entity includes blocking roads around Ben Gurion Airport in an attempt to prevent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from catching his flight for an official visit to Italy, Israeli media reported.
The organizers of the so-called ‘disruption day’ said it “represents a day of resistance to the dictatorship, during which traffic in Israel will be disrupted: in the air, at sea, and on land.”
In a statement, they said that protest convoys, including some agricultural vehicles and equipment, will set off around the Zionist entity throughout the day, along with rallies at different locations, an evening protest outside the home of Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and other actions against coalition lawmakers and ministers.
Last week, protesters held a ‘day of disruption’ on Wednesday with a flagship rally in Tel Aviv that blocked a key junction in the city. Occupation police used horse-mounted cops, water cannons, and stun grenades to disperse them.
The force came under criticism for the rough treatment of the protesters, including an officer who hurled a stun grenade into a crowd of people.
The so-called National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has instructed occupation police to use a heavy hand against anti-judicial overhaul protesters who block roads, and who have been painted by himself and several members of the government as “anarchists.”
“Legal Chaos”
On the other hand, a former commander of the Israeli Air Force described as a “dangerous precedent” the refusal by members of the occupation military to show up for reserve duty.
In a lengthy interview with Channel 12 news on Monday, Maj. Gen. (res.) Eliezer Shkedi said that service refusal as a protest against the government could lead to dire results for the ‘state’.
But he also urged the government to halt its legislative blitz on the overhaul and instead work out a compromise with the opposition, warning against a possible “insane” outcome and “legal chaos” if a deal isn’t reached.
“Threat to Foundation of Israel Existence”
For his part, Netanyahu spoke out Monday against the growing phenomenon of reserve soldiers threatening to refuse to report for duty.
“Refusal to serve threatens the foundation of our existence, and therefore it must have no place in our ranks,” Netanyahu said in a press conference, standing alongside far-right Ben Gvir and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana.
The Israeli premier said that “Israeli society has always condemned those refusing to serve. It has never allowed refusers to gain a foothold.
Netanyahu’s remarks represented an escalation in the Israeli government’s rhetoric against the phenomenon, which has picked up steam in recent days, as the Israeli coalition moves forward with legislation to radically restrict the High Court of Justice’s power and assert political control over judicial appointments.
Herzog Compromise
For his part, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has been reportedly exerting efforts to craft a compromise on the coalition’s controversial plan.
“We are closer than ever to the possibility of an agreed-upon framework,” Herzog said, without specifying who was involved in negotiations, The Times of Israel reported.
Israeli Channel 12 reported Monday that Herzog plans to present a highly detailed plan to the sides in the coming days in order to force them to come to the table.
The unsourced report said that under the Herzog’s proposal, the occupation government will not be given a clear majority in the judicial appointments panel, as is the case in the coalition legislation currently advancing through the Knesset.
Source: Israeli media (edited by Al-Manar English Website)
