Thousands of demonstrators gathered Saturday evening in Tel Aviv's Habima Square and at dozens of locations across Israel to protest a series of controversial laws passed by the outgoing coalition shortly before the Knesset dissolved ahead of new elections.
Additional protests took place in Haifa, Tzemach Junction, Ma'agan Michael Bridge, Rosh Pina, Nahalal, Karmiel Junction, and other communities, as opposition groups accused the government of weakening democratic institutions through an accelerated legislative campaign.
Broad Coalition of Civil Society Groups
The main demonstration in Tel Aviv was organized by the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, the October Council, the Defensive Shield Forum for Israel, Paratroopers for Democracy, 555 Patriots, and the Forum of Protest Organizations.
Speakers included Attorney Tomer Naor, Deputy Director-General for Legal Affairs and Strategy at the Movement for Quality Government; Gilad Golan, father of Maj. Sagi Golan, who was killed during the fighting in Be'eri on October 8, 2023; retired Brig. Gen. Amal As'ad; and constitutional law expert Prof. Yaniv Roznai of Reichman University.
Organizers Condemn Controversial Laws
In a joint statement, protest organizers said the coalition had approved several contentious laws within three days before the Knesset's dissolution.
According to the statement, the legislation included the Basic Law on Torah Study, legislation concerning the detention of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders, measures affecting the powers of the Attorney General, and media reform legislation.
The organizers argued that the legislative package reflected a political agreement under which ultra-Orthodox coalition partners supported judicial and media reforms in exchange for legislation advancing their priorities regarding military conscription.
Challenge Laws in Court
The Movement for Quality Government said it had petitioned Israel's Supreme Court against each of the newly approved laws immediately after their passage.
According to the organization, one of those petitions has already resulted in the temporary suspension of legislation concerning the detention of draft evaders, pending judicial review.
"The struggle now moves from the courtroom to the public arena," the organization said.
Gilad Golan, whose son was killed during the fighting following the October 7 attacks, criticized the government's refusal to establish a state commission of inquiry.
"When a government refuses to take responsibility and does not establish a commission of inquiry as required by law, there is little chance that either the military system or political decision-making will improve," he said.
Retired Brig. Gen. Amal As'ad questioned the direction of the country, asking, "For what kind of state are we fighting?" He argued that recent legislation had deepened social divisions and weakened democratic norms.
Attorney Tomer Naor accused the coalition of creating unequal treatment before the law and called for preserving democratic institutions and respect for the rule of law.
Legislative Push Before Knesset Dissolution
Before entering the election recess, the coalition accelerated consideration of several high-profile bills that had been negotiated as part of agreements between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the ultra-Orthodox parties.
Among the measures advanced were legislation concerning a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attacks, gender-separated academic programs, media regulation, the powers of the Attorney General, kosher certification reforms, the Basic Law on Torah Study, and legislation affecting the detention of draft evaders.
While supporters described the bills as reflecting the coalition's governing agenda, opponents argued that the legislative package represented an attempt to enact far-reaching constitutional and institutional changes without broad national consensus.
Political Debate Expected
The demonstrations underscored the deep divisions surrounding the government's legislative agenda and signaled that judicial reform, military conscription, the balance of powers between state institutions, and the rule of law are likely to become central issues in Israel's upcoming election campaign.
The protests are expected to continue as legal challenges to several of the newly enacted laws proceed before Israel's Supreme Court.
Comments