The Israeli coalition government headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu survived a no-confidence motion proposed by the opposition today, Monday, in protest against the judicial reforms adopted by the government. The Knesset Speaker announced that the proposal was rejected by a majority of 59 votes against 53 in favor.
Israeli parliamentary television showed that the Knesset's review committee approved a key bill within the judicial amendments today, paving the way for a potential vote for its adoption. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on protesters and participants in opposing demonstrations to refrain from violence amid escalating chaos due to the judicial reforms proposed by his far-right government. The Israeli finance minister has claimed that the judicial reforms should not be halted as they would "correct the judicial system" and "strengthen democracy."
A message from the Israeli Foreign Ministry workers' union, seen by Reuters, revealed that Israeli embassies worldwide received instructions to join the strike. The message, referring to a general strike in Israel announced by the labor union (Histadrut), stated that the ministry's activities in Israel and abroad will be limited to emergency services.
A spokesperson for Ben Gurion Airport announced that all departures from Israel's main airport were suspended on Monday due to widespread protests against the government's judicial reform plan.
Popular anger has been rocking Israel since Netanyahu announced the dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Galant yesterday, following a day of disputes with the government and his calls to halt a plan that sparked controversy and division over amending the country’s judicial system.
After the announcement of Galant's dismissal, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem waving Israeli flags. Crowds gathered outside Netanyahu's home in Jerusalem, breaching the security perimeter from one side.
Opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz issued a joint statement saying, "State security cannot become a pawn in political games. Netanyahu crossed a red line tonight." They urged Likud party members not to participate in "suppressing national security."
After announcing the dismissal of Galant, Netanyahu's office did not clarify who would replace the dismissed defense minister and did not provide further details. Netanyahu's office stated, "Netanyahu decided to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Galant." Shortly after his dismissal, Galant (64 years old) tweeted, "The security of the State of Israel has always been my life's mission, and it will always remain so."
The police used water cannons to disperse protesters outside Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, protesters set fire to a highway in Tel Aviv that has seen hundreds of thousands participating in protests since the beginning of this year.
After his statements on Saturday, Galant became the most prominent Likud party member under Netanyahu who publicly opposed the judicial amendments, stating that the protests joined by an increasing number of reserve military soldiers also affect the regular forces and undermine national security.
In recent weeks, senior officials of the Finance Ministry warned about the possibility of an economic contraction, and business leaders sounded the alarm about the future of their businesses. The head of the Histadrut labor union, which includes hundreds of thousands of public sector employees, expressed his "astonishment" at the decision to dismiss the defense minister, indicating he would issue a "significant" statement on Monday.
The Israeli consul general in New York announced his resignation on Sunday in protest against Galant's dismissal. Some of Netanyahu's far-right allies called for Galant's dismissal, but several other Likud members supported his call to halt the judicial amendments.
A fundamental bill aimed at granting the ruling coalition more control over judicial appointments is set to be put to a vote in the Knesset this week. Netanyahu and his allies hold 64 seats in the Knesset, which has a total of 120 seats, but dissent within Likud raises doubts about whether this vote, with no fixed deadline yet, will take place at all.
International Responses
The United States expressed "serious concern" regarding the situation in Israel. Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House, stated, "We are deeply concerned about today’s events in Israel, which underscore the urgent need for a compromise." She added, "Democratic values have always been, and must continue to be, a hallmark of U.S.-Israel relations."
Watson emphasized that "democratic societies are strengthened by checks and balances," stressing that "fundamental changes to a democratic system must occur on as broad a base of public support as possible." She concluded, "We continue to urge Israeli leaders to reach a compromise as soon as possible. We believe that is the best path for Israel and all its citizens."
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov expressed that Moscow is closely monitoring the current situation in Israel. He stated, "We are watching the situation there, but of course with concern. It is important for us that no problems arise for our citizens present there." A spokesperson for the German government expressed their country's concern over the developments in Israel in recent days but noted that Germany does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.
