There has been a very tense atmosphere in Israel in recent days, as Israeli police raided Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque this week. They were followed by rocket attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip and also from Lebanon, to which the army responded with airstrikes.
Even on Saturday evening, tens of thousands of worshipers were expected to gather around the Al-Aqsa Mosque for evening prayers, and there were fears of a repeat of the night clashes with the Israeli police.
At the same time, two attacks took place in Israel on Friday. First, the perpetrator or perpetrators shot dead two Israeli sisters in the occupied West Bank and wounded their mother. A few hours later, the attacker, who according to security sources was an Israeli Arab, drove his car into pedestrians on a popular path for pedestrians and cyclists in Tel Aviv. An Italian tourist lost his life, several other people were injured.
A terrorist shot and drove into people on a promenade in Tel Aviv, killing six and wounding six
Foreign
Photo: Ariel Schalit, CTK/AP
Israelis are protesting the judicial reform being pushed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government
In central Tel Aviv, protesters on Saturday again waved the Israeli flags that have become a hallmark of protests that have lasted more than three months. According to protesters, judicial reform will weaken Israeli democracy. The protest began with a prayer for the victims of Friday’s attacks, but protesters say they are undeterred by security concerns. “Security is one thing, but reform is another,” said 26-year-old student Amitaj Ginsberg. “We will keep coming here and saying loud and clear that we will not let this reform pass,” he added.
The reform, which would give the ruling coalition control over the appointment of Supreme Court judges and allow judicial decisions to be overridden by a simple parliamentary majority, has sparked mass protests in Israel since January. Critics see the government’s efforts as a threat to the independence of the court and an attempt at a legal coup. Supporters say it seeks to make judges less elitist and interventionist.
Israel’s prime minister decided last week to postpone the discussion of the reform for the time being to allow negotiations on a compromise with the opposition parties. He made the decision after widespread domestic unrest and expressions of disapproval from Washington.
Israel launches airstrikes in Lebanon
Near and Middle East
