Israel General Discussion: Annus Horribilis

[Hnv1]

Bibi’s not backing down here. Levine has him in the groin

War it is. What do you think about the chances the SC overturns the judiciary committee law? My lawyer friend seems to think the chances are low.

I don’t think it’s really a legal question. The unconstitutional constitutional amendment doctrine is nebulous as is and can provide reasonings to both ends. What will settle the matter is political legitimacy, if the court feels it has public backing some of the moderate judges will side with the liberal and strike it down.
So far as I see it we’re heading there

[No War, but the War on Christmas]

Israel’s Defense Minister Says Government Should Halt Contentious Judicial Plan
Yoav Gallant, who oversees Israel’s military, is the first minister in Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to criticize a plan to weaken the judiciary. His comments follow fears that weeks of unrest have undermined military capacity.

JERUSALEM — The Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant, called on Saturday night for his government to suspend its contentious plan to overhaul the country’s judiciary, arguing that the turmoil it has unleashed within Israeli society and the military has become a threat to Israel’s national security.

“The rift within our society is widening and penetrating the Israel Defense Forces,” Mr. Gallant said in a televised speech. He added: “This is a clear and immediate and tangible danger to the security of the state. I shall not be a party to this.”

Mr. Gallant’s announcement set the stage for what is expected to be one of the most dramatic weeks in Israeli history. The far-right governing coalition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which has a majority of just four seats, is expected to hold a final vote in Parliament early next week on the first step in its overhaul plan: a bill that would give the government greater control over appointments to the Supreme Court.

The government’s proposal has led to weeks of mass protests, which continued on Saturday night; warnings of political violence and civil war; and unrest within the military, particularly among reservists. Thousands of reserve soldiers have said they would not report for volunteer duty if the overhaul goes ahead, or have already withdrawn from service.

And perhaps most optimistically..

Mr. Gallant is the first minister to break ranks and call for a freeze to the legislation. His intervention raised questions about whether enough like-minded governing lawmakers would now follow suit and prevent the law’s passage through Parliament. Two other governing lawmakers, David Bitan and Yuli Edelstein, swiftly tweeted their support for Mr. Gallant, and a handful of others were also thought to be wavering.

I mean, absolutely good for him, but certainly a government minister coming out and disowning your governments biggest proposals has got to be a kick in the balls for BiBi. What are the chances he retaliates against Gallant... Or does he not care as long as he eventually gets his way? Over the carcass of Israeli democracy and civil society, ofc.

[No War, but the War on Christmas]

Any IDF soldier can detain people in the occupied territories for up to 3 hours based on their own decision? That's absolutely bonkers levels of military law being applied to civilians. And the fact that many of the main thoroughfares of a historically Palestinian city like Hebron are literally restricted from Palestinian travel (forcing them to take much wilder routes, or be harassed at military checkpoints) is certainly unsettling in an 'characteristics of apartheid' type way.

That map is from a group of former IDF soldiers who now speak out against the occupation, btw.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Any IDF soldier can detain people in the occupied territories for up to 3 hours based on their own decision? That's absolutely bonkers levels of military law being applied to civilians. And the fact that many of the main thoroughfares of a historically Palestinian city like Hebron are literally restricted from Palestinian travel (forcing them to take much wilder routes, or be harassed at military checkpoints) is certainly unsettling in an 'characteristics of apartheid' type way.

That map is from a group of former IDF soldiers who now speak out against the occupation, btw.

Thanks for sharing.

[CumbrianLefty]

There does seem to be real resistance in Israel now, which is something.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

There does seem to be real resistance in Israel now, which is something.

From my observations, the government itself is sort of turning on Netanyahu. The Supreme Court directly weighing in is a huge moment, and even some members of his coalition are starting to bend.

It's not January 6th, but there is a parallel, in that both Trump and Netanyahu took moves that really only work once you've already consolidated your power, not before.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Netanyahu just fired Defense Minister Gallant.
Crazy, insane, psycho, lots of words to describe this move

[Angel of Death]

Even given his existing legal troubles, Netanyahu's increasingly erratic behavior is hard to explain; perhaps it's a case of kompromat?

[Hnv1]

Bibi just went all-in. I’m raising my previous probabilities for a coup to 45%.

[Darthpi – Anti-Florida Activist]

Netanyahu just fired Defense Minister Gallant.
Crazy, insane, psycho, lots of words to describe this move

We're reaching the "find out" phase of things soon.

[Libertas Vel Mors]

Good of Netanyahu to not back down. He may lose now, but it is better to lose with conviction and courage than to surrender without taking a stand.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Good of Netanyahu to not back down. He may lose now, but it is better to lose with conviction and courage than to surrender without taking a stand.

"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!”

“I won’t insult your intelligence by suggesting you really believe what you just said.”

[President Johnson]

I'm sorry if that was discussed earlier, though Wikipedia doesn't give a clean answer: Can Isaac Herzog block the judicial "reform" planned to enact? Wikipedia says the president must sign laws, but what if he doesn't? Even in other countries with ceremonial heads of state (like Germany), the president not signing a law means it can't go into effect.

[Darthpi – Anti-Florida Activist]

I'm sorry if that was discussed earlier, though Wikipedia doesn't give a clean answer: Can Isaac Herzog block the judicial "reform" planned to enact? Wikipedia says the president must sign laws, but what if he doesn't? Even in other countries with ceremonial heads of state (like Germany), the president not signing a law means it can't go into effect.

My reading of this page from the Knesset website suggests that once it passes the legislature it automatically becomes law: https://m.knesset.gov.il/en/activity/pages/legislation.aspx

[Torrain]

Apparently the Histadrut (General Organization of Workers in Israel) has scheduled a press conference to announce a general strike tomorrow.

Also - Israel’s Consul General in New York, Asaf Zamir has resigned:
https://twitter.com/asafzamir/status/1640084093122539522
Full resignation letter here

[DavidB.]

Pretty sure no head of government anywhere would accept one of his ministers calling into question a key government policy publicly.

[Silent Hunter]

Any IDF soldier can detain people in the occupied territories for up to 3 hours based on their own decision? That's absolutely bonkers levels of military law being applied to civilians.

I'd be curious to know what the British rules in Northern Ireland were in that regard.

[Silent Hunter]

Pretty sure no head of government anywhere would accept one of his ministers calling into question a key government policy publicly.

Only if they waived collective responsibility, as happened with both Europe referendums here.

[jaichind]

I wonder if this will lead to a split in Likud.

[Angel of Death]

Fun fact:
https://twitter.com/JacobMagid/status/1640056078514679809

[Torrain]

Reports that Israeli universities are going on strike starting tomorrow:

A group of universities announces a general strike starting tomorrow morning over the government’s judicial overhaul and the ousting of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who called to pause the legislation.

“We, the heads of Israel’s research universities, presidents, rectors, and management, will stop studies in all of Israel’s research universities starting tomorrow morning, amid the continuation of the legislative process that undermines the foundations of Israeli democracy and endangers its continued existence,” the universities say in a statement carried by Hebrew media.

“We call on the prime minister and the members of the coalition to stop the legislation immediately, and immediately enter talks in order to reach an agreed and broad outline,” they add.

Apparently the only exception is Ariel University (in the West Bank) - which is yet to announce a decision.

[Harlow]

https://twitter.com/Joyce_Karam/status/1640106962212864000?s=20

[jaichind]

If Netanyahu pauses the judicial overhaul will not his authority be so shattered that he will have to resign?

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

If Netanyahu pauses the judicial overhaul will not his authority be so shattered that he will have to resign?

You might be right in the sense that he becomes sort of a lame-duck, but even that is worse than half the country considering your authority entirely illegitimate and the man as an active threat that must be dealt with.
Better to be nominal captain of a boat than kicked off.

[MaxQue]

Pretty sure no head of government anywhere would accept one of his ministers calling into question a key government policy publicly.

But, no head of democratic government would propose the montrosity Bibi is proposing, through.