Israel General Discussion: Annus Horribilis

[Darthpi – Anti-Florida Activist]

Well this thread is already exactly as much of a disaster as I would expect.

[Darthpi – Anti-Florida Activist]

Yeah I ain't reading that s***

[Darthpi – Anti-Florida Activist]

The Israeli Judicial System is an objectively anti-Democratic branch.  It is made-up of a self-appointed judiciary that acts as legislator, executive, and drafter of Israel's Constitution.  Its body has the power to select and deny prosecutors, ministers, and elected officials.  It functions without any checks and balances on legislative and administrative prosecutorial powers, because it originated the constitution that established its authoritative powers.  It is unlike any Western Judiciary System.  Naturally, the judicial and prosecutorial body is notoriously corrupt and politically-motivated.  They will enact legislation on the fly in order to limit the powers of incoming or outgoing, democratically-elected representatives.

In regards to criminal handling of ministers, legislators, and judges, the AGs will overzealously prosecute political foes, and drag their feat when it comes to allies.  They often prosecute cases based on external media or internal political pressure as opposed to the strength of their case.  An example is AG Yehuda Weinstein's delays when it came to prosecuting Secular-Left-wing, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman as opposed to Jewish politicians.  Such difference are also glaring in the prosecutorial process when judges (peers) are involved.  The speed of prosecution is a serious problem, because the judiciary has enacted legislation that forces government official out of office during litigation.  It's just ripe for abuse. 

Deranged

[Darthpi – Anti-Florida Activist]

https://twitter.com/edokonrad/status/1629937676152455169?s=20

Okay, I've had it. Cut off all aid to this regime, and start imposing sanctions. Decades upon decades of illegal military occupation were already bad, but if members of the Israeli government are openly supportive of what is by any reasonable definition acts of terrorism against Palestinian people, then it is unquestionably time for the United States to stop being gentle here and start laying down some meaningful consequences. Enough with the statements of "concern" - we need real action before this spirals even further out of control.

[Darthpi – Anti-Florida Activist]

Bibi, as far-right as he is, always seemed like a credible leader and not a tin-pot autocrat. Cracking down on these terror militias is one of the most important tasks he's ever had. And if that means Ben-Gvir and co. break from the coalition, some of the moderate parties need to swallow their pride and form a temporary coalition.

This is a fascinating take considering that Netanyahu's primary goal right now is to dismantle the courts so that corrupt convicts like Deri can serve in the government and so that the Arab parties can be banned from the Knesset.

[Darthpi – Anti-Florida Activist]

Looks like the court nullification bill has been shelved for the time being. They're still moving ahead with some limited bills to limit the court's power to disqualify corrupt officials and the like.

Must say, Biden is really good at using political leverage behind the scenes. Obama's problem with his dealings with Bibi from the start was that he always went straight to the bully pulpit, which you can't do effectively with an ally with broad public support.

No, that's actually the opposite of effective use of US leverage. Gentle nudging without meaningful public criticism and changes in policy just means that things get worse somewhat less slowly and don't actually improve. And that's if you even believe the idea that the more drastic bill is shelved, which I have at least some doubts about.

[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.

[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

[Darthpi – Anti-Florida Activist]

I really hope this whole mess causes some Isrealis to re-evaluate the choices that have led their country to this crisis, and how the continued military occupation of the West Bank only makes an Israeli democratic collapse more likely.

Not saying I expect changes in views overnight, it's understandable that many will want to deal with the Netanyahu crisis first, but the chronic problems will need to be addressed at some point to prevent another move toward authoritarianism in the future.

[Darthpi – Anti-Florida Activist]

Otzma agree to postpone the legislation in exchange for Ben Gvir getting a private militia.

 that. I’m heading out to protest.

This government needs to be brought down before full-scale ethnic cleansing and civil war break out. Because that's what a Kahanist-run militia would be doing.

[Darthpi – Anti-Florida Activist]

If Netanyahu was actually about to do something that would endanger military aid or Iron Dome supplies from the US, the IDF would coup him in 5.2 seconds, most likely.

Question here: has a military coup ever happened in a country that has been as wealthy and an established democracy (within its internationally-recognized borders) as Israel? Wouldn't that turn Israel into something akin to Kemalist Turkey?

Depending on how much time has to pass before a democracy is considered well-established, Primo de Rivera's coup in Spain in 1923 comes to mind.