Israel labor union leader calls for an end to general strike
From CNN’s Amir Tal in Jerusalem
The leader of the Histadrut labor union called for anend to general strike in Israel following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement that a planned judicial overhaul would be paused.
“The general strike stops from this moment,” Arnon Bar-David announced moments after Netanyahu’s speech.
But, he warned: “If the prime minister returns to aggressive legislation, he’ll find us facing him. Legislation with out consent will be met with a general strike.”
Bar-David was speaking on CNN affiliate Channel 13 in Israel.
2:21 p.m. ET, March 27, 2023
Netanyahu not backing down over "need for reform"
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, on March 27. (Abir Sultan/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he would delay crucial votes on judicial reform, he did not back down from insisting the overhaul was necessary.
Netanyahu said he would delay the second and third votes on the remaining legislation until after the Knesset’s Passover recess in April “to give time for a real chance for a real debate.”
But he insisted that the overhaul was necessary, and reiterated criticism of refusal to train or serve in the military in protest at the planned changes.
1:26 p.m. ET, March 27, 2023
Netanyahu announces delay to judicial reform
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks on March 27. (Israeli Government Press Office)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is "aware of the tensions" and is "listening to the people."
Referring to the refusal of some Israel Defense Forces reservists to train in protest at the government plans to overhaul the judiciary, Netanyahu said:
The state of Israel cannot continue with people who refuse to serve in the army. Refusing, it’s the end of our country."
"Out of the responsibility to the nation, I decided to delay ... the vote, in order to give time for discussion," he added.
1:13 p.m. ET, March 27, 2023
Netanyahu addresses the nation
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is addressing the nation following a day of widespread strikes and protests.
12:28 p.m. ET, March 27, 2023
Biden faces calls for more forceful response to Netanyahu's reforms
From CNN's Kevin Liptak, Jeremy Diamond and Phil Mattingly
US President Joe Biden speaks during the White House Conservation in Action Summit at the US Interior Department in Washington, DC, on March 21. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
As protests in Israel have intensified, President Joe Biden's administration has steadily scaled up its rhetoric on the situation, including saying Sunday it was watching with “concern” after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired his defense minister who spoke out in opposition to the proposed reforms.
“Democratic societies are strengthened by checks and balances, and fundamental changes to a democratic system should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support,” a statement from the US national security council said.
As of Monday morning, Biden himself has yet to speak publicly about the matter, preferring to voice his deep concern about the judicial proposals directly to Netanyahu, including during their phone call last weekend. He declined to answer questions about Israel as he returned to the White House Sunday evening. A US official said Biden is likely to have another call with Netanyahu in the coming days, but cautioned that the timing was fluid.
Some progressive groups have called on the Biden administration to come out more forcefully against Netanyahu’s plans, arguing the weight of the American presidency could help sway events.
More than 90 House Democrats also wrote to Biden earlier this month urging him to strongly condemn the judicial proposals. “With the Knesset on the cusp of stripping the judiciary’s check over the current government, we urge you to make clear that the US will firmly oppose any moves toward annexation that the Israeli government may pursue as a result,” the letter read.
Biden, who has known Netanyahu for decades, has sought a less confrontational approach, at least in public. The phone call between Biden and Netanyahu last Sunday was “candid and constructive,” one official said, with the president encouraging his Israeli counterpart to seek a compromise plan to the judicial reforms.
12:35 p.m. ET, March 27, 2023
Israel's judicial overhaul plans delayed, National security minister's Jewish Power party says
From CNN’s Rob Picheta and Amir Tal
Demonstrators hold Israeli flags during a protest in Jerusalem on March 27. (Ilia Yefimovich/picture alliance/Getty Images)
Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial plans to weaken Israel’s judiciary will be put on hold after widespread strikes and protests drove the country to a standstill, the party of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir announced Monday.
The legislation will be paused until the next legislative term, after the Passover recess in April, Gvir’s Jewish Power party said in a statement.
Netanyahu himself has not commented on a delay. A nationwide strike Monday saw workers in virtually every major sector walk out, and protests clogged streets and rammed city centers across Israel demanding an end to the bill.
Gvir insisted Monday that the judicial overhaul legislation would still come to a vote in parliament’s summer term.
He added that he had "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's commitment that the legislation will be brought to the Knesset for approval in the next session if no agreements are reached during the recess.”
The Knesset’s summer sitting runs April 30 to July 30.
11:22 a.m. ET, March 27, 2023
Israel's far-right finance minister tells protesters to go out in support of the judicial overhaul
From CNN’s Hadas Gold in Jerusalem
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at a news conference in Jerusalem on January 8. (Ronen Zvulun/Reuters)
Israel’s controversial finance minister Bezalel Smotrich called on supporters to protest in Jerusalem in favor of the judicial overhaul, announcing he will join the demonstrations.
“Friends! Under no circumstances whatsoever must the reforms to fix the judicial system and to strengthen Israel's democracy be stopped,” Smotrich said in a video message.
“Do not give in to violence, to anarchy, to objectors and wild strikes. We are the majority — let's make our voice heard. I will be there — you come too. We won't let them steal our voice and our country,” he added.
The minister had attracted controversy over the past month after calling for the Palestinian village of Huwara to be erased. He had also separately denied the existence of the Palestinian people.
Tens of thousands are currently protesting at the Knesset in opposition of a judicial overhaul plan by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition.
11:12 a.m. ET, March 27, 2023
A threat to democracy or much-needed reform?Israel's judicial overhaul explained
From CNN's Hadas Gold in Jerusalem
An aerial view shows protesters attending a demonstration in Jerusalem on March 27. (Stringer/Reuters)
For months, hundreds of thousands of people have been taking to the streets across Israel to protest far-reaching changes to the legal system that some say threaten the country’s democratic foundations.
Tensions rose further this weekend when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over his opposition to the planned overhaul, prompting mass street protests and widespread strike action.
Here are key things to know about the judicial overhaul:
What's the issue? At its core, the changes would give the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, and therefore the parties in power, more control over Israel’s judiciary.
It's a hugely significant shake up: From how judges are selected, to what laws the Supreme Court can rule on, to even giving parliament power to overturn Supreme Court decisions, the changes would be the most significant shakeups to Israel’s judiciary since its founding in 1948.
Reforms don't come out of nowhere: Figures from across the political spectrum have in the past called for changes to Israel’s judiciary. Israel has no written constitution, only a set of quasi-constitutional basic laws, making the Supreme Court even more powerful. But Israel also has no check on the power of the Knesset other than the Supreme Court.
What are the changes? The judicial overhaul is a package of bills, all of which need to pass three votes in the Knesset before they become law. One of the most important elements for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is the bill that changes the makeup of the nine-member committee that selects judges, in order to give the government a majority of the seats on the committee. Another "override clause" would give the Israeli parliament the power to pass laws previously ruled invalid by the court, essentially overriding Supreme Court decisions.
Defending the plans: Netanyahu and his supporters argue that the Supreme Court has become an insular, elitist group that does not represent the Israeli people. They argue the Supreme Court has overstepped its role, getting into issues it should not rule on.
Unfit for office bill: Another bill, now voted through, makes it more difficult for a sitting Prime Minister to be declared unfit for office, restricting the reasons to physical or mental incapacity and requiring either the prime minister themselves, or two-thirds of the cabinet, to vote for such a declaration. This bill has big implications for the Israeli prime minister and critics say Netanyahu is pushing the overhaul forward because of his own ongoing corruption trial, where he faces charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust. He denies any wrongdoing.
Opposing the bill: Critics say the overhaul goes too far, and will completely destroy the only avenue available to provide checks and balances to the Israeli legislative branch. They warn it will harm the independence of the Israeli judiciary, and will hurt rights not enshrined in Israel’s quasi-constitutional basic laws, like minority rights and freedom of expression.
Israel's far-right national security minister Ben Gvir calls on supporters to protest in Jerusalem
From CNN staff
Itamar Ben Gvir speaks to the media ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem on March 19. (Abir Sultan/Pool/AFP/Getty Images)
Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir called on supporters to protest in Jerusalem on Monday.
“Emergency situation! Heading up to Jerusalem!” he said in a tweet.
“The right wing camp will be going out in support in Jerusalem," the post added. "We cannot give up on the nation's choice! Bring a flag and join.”
Earlier Monday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog on urged the government to immediately halt its planned judicial overhaul, saying: "the eyes of the whole world are on you."
