Israel chants ‘Bibi, Go Home’; taming judiciary turns heat on Netanyahu
By Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi, March 27: Israel has plunged into a chaos following unprecedented protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bid to control judiciary. A resolution passed with a simple majority in Knesset, Israeli Parliament, would be enough to overturn the rulings of the top court in Tel Aviv.
Esther Solomon, Editor in chief of Haaretz, summed up the mood on the street in Israel by stating — Thousands are protesting outside the Knesset in Jerusalem, calling for ‘Bibi go home!’ Here in Tel Aviv, among the chants: ‘Israel won’t be a dictatorship!’ ‘Democracy or revolt!’ and now a huge round of ‘Bibi go home!’
Local media reports have said that Israeli President Isaac Herzog has asked Netanyahu to abandon judicial reform legislation forthwith. Earlier, sacking of the Defence minister Yaov Gallant brought thousands of protesters on the street in Israel.
Gallant had opposed Netanyahu bid to control the judiciary apparently as part of a preemptive move to stall corruption charges against him. Netanyahu had returned to power recently by stitching an alliance of far-right groups in Israel, which egged on the government to take up aggressive measures against the Palestinians opposed to expansion of Israeli settlements.
“Chaos in Israel as PM Netanyahu tries to change law to control judiciary. He has a corruption case digging him. Defence minister exits as government is close to losing majority,” wrote former diplomat K C Singh on his timeline. It’s yet to be seen if Netanyahu will lose power in the Knesset.
Brian Krassenstein, an independent journalist, wrote on his timeline that “citizens of Israel streamed into the streets today in Tel Aviv to protest against Netanyahu’s efforts to control the country’s judiciary”. “What Netanyahu and his fascist, extreme-right allies are trying to do in Israel right now is terrifying and abhorrent. Thankfully, tens of thousands of Israelis are taking to the streets to protest against the rise of authoritarianism there and to help protect democracy,” stated Jon Kooper, a former campaign aide of incumbent US President Joe Biden and his predecessor Barack Obama.
The protests in Israel are seen to be spontaneous and supported by a large cross-sections of the society, with stated driving force being the urge to defend democracy in the country. Columnist Nadav Eyal tweeted: “For the first time in history, Israel’s main union, as well as leaders from the banks and the entire business sector, are about to declare a general strike demanding that the government stop the judicial coup. Employers have committed to paying full wages to workers.”
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