U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Israel on Thursday, following a rescheduling of his visit due to escalating protests against the Israeli government's judicial reform plan, according to Reuters. Austin's flight landed at Ben Gurion Airport, where he is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant near the airport.
Meanwhile, protesters opposing the judicial reforms sought to disrupt Prime Minister Netanyahu's trip abroad and Austin's visit by gathering at Israel's main airport. In defiance of the heavy police presence, convoys of vehicles displaying Israeli flags flooded the highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, heading toward the terminal at Ben Gurion Airport. Some local media reported that Netanyahu and his companions avoided traffic jams by arriving at the airport early in the morning.
Other media speculated that he may have traveled to the airport by military helicopter. The typical drive from Jerusalem to the airport takes about 30 minutes. Netanyahu's spokespersons did not disclose his whereabouts, as he was scheduled to depart later that afternoon for a two-day visit to Rome, following an impromptu arrangement to welcome Austin, who arrived at the airport around noon.
Social media users shared images of Netanyahu's aides shopping at the airport's duty-free store. Outside the airport, some travelers had to abandon their stranded vehicles and walk along the highway to Ben Gurion while dragging their luggage.
Protest organizers called for intensified disruptions across the country as part of what they termed "Resistance Day," in protest against reforms that they fear would place the Israeli Supreme Court under executive control and foster corruption. Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges that he denies, asserts that reducing judicial powers will restore balance among the different branches of government.
Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, speaking to reporters at the airport as he coordinated measures to handle demonstrations, said, "No one said do not protest... but it is not acceptable, correct, or appropriate to disrupt the lives of 70,000 people." This seemed to refer to those stuck in traffic alongside travelers heading through Ben Gurion Airport.
A spokesperson for the airport indicated that around 65,000 passengers were expected to pass through the airport that day. In a message circulated via WhatsApp, protest organizers urged travelers to arrive early at the airport, stating, "We are trying to balance our desire to influence the country with the need to enable people to reach their destinations."
Austin was originally scheduled to arrive on Wednesday as part of a regional tour but delayed his arrival and changed the meeting location near Ben Gurion Airport due to concerns over potential access issues to the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv because of the protests. A law regarding the proposed judicial system amendments has not yet been passed, but it has negatively affected the local currency, the shekel, and raised concerns abroad about the safety of democracy in Israel. Polls have shown that most Israelis want to retract or amend the reforms to achieve a national consensus.
This week, two law professors presented proposals for modified reforms, and the cabinet secretary and two ministers expressed preliminary support for the draft. However, opposition leaders have stated they will only support them if Netanyahu suspends planned votes to approve the reforms. In Jerusalem, a group of protesters used sandbags and barbed wire to set up barricades around the Kohelet Policy Forum, a research institution that promoted the government's reforms.
