Live updates: Israel’s judicial overhaul delayed after mass protests and strikes | CNN

Israel’s judicial overhaul delayed after mass protests and strikes

Helen Regan

By Helen Regan, Adam Renton, Rob Picheta, Ed Upright, Aditi Sangal, Ivana Kottasová and Jack Guy, CNN

Updated 5:57 PM EDT, Mon March 27, 2023

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How a historic general strike brought Israel to a standstill

2:46 • Source: CNN

netanyahu piers morgan iso

How a historic general strike brought Israel to a standstill

2:46

What we covered here

Israel’s contentious judicial overhaul legislation will be put on hold until the next session of the Knesset, after the Passover recess in April, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday.
His statement followed a nationwide protest that brought Israel to a standstill. The strikes and mass protests were sparked by Netanyahu’s decision to fire his defense minister after he spoke out against the far-reaching legislation.
The nation’s largest labor union called an end to the strike after Netanyahu’s announcement, but warned there would be more if the “prime minister returns to aggressive legislation.”
Under the proposals, the government would have control over the appointment of judges, and parliament would gain the power to override Supreme Court decisions. Opponents say the plan threatens the foundations of Israeli democracy.

Our live coverage has ended. You can read more about today’s protests here.

36 Posts

Netanyahu delays judicial overhaul: Here are latest developments that followed widespread protests

From CNN staff

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that a package of controversial judicial reforms would be delayed, a move that was welcomed by the US and UK.

Israel’s largest labor union called off a general strike following Netanyahu’s announcement – but warned it would take further action if the reforms were revived.

Netanyahu’s package had triggered months of sustained protests that rocked the country. The crisis deepened Sunday when his office announced the firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant after he became the first cabinet member to call for a pause to the controversial plans.

Here are the latest headlines:

Netanyahu delays changes: Netanyahu announced that he will delay the package of controversial legislation, saying that he is “aware of the tensions” and is “listening to the people.” He 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 insisted that the overhaul was necessary.
General strike called off: The leader of the Histadrut labor union called for an end to general strike following Netanyahu’s announcement. “The general strike stops from this moment,” Arnon Bar-David announced. But, he warned: “If the prime minister returns to aggressive legislation, he’ll find us facing him. Legislation without consent will be met with a general strike.”
US welcomes move: The White House says it welcomes the delay. “We welcome this announcement as an opportunity to create additional time and space for compromise. A compromise is precisely what we have been calling for,” said press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
UK hails Netanyahu decision: The UK “welcomes the decision today by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pause legislation to reform Israel’s judiciary,” said Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. “It is vital that the shared democratic values that underpin that relationship are upheld, and a robust system of checks and balances are preserved,” he added.
Embassy reopens: The Israeli embassy in Washington is re-opening today after a closure due to embassy staff striking under instruction from Histadrut. The “strike is over and the embassy is reopened,” embassy spokesperson Elad Strohmayer told CNN.

Israeli embassy in Washington reopening after strike ends following Netanyahu's announcement

From CNN's Kylie Atwood and Alex Marquardt

The Israeli embassy in Washington is re-opening today after a closure due to embassy staff striking under instruction from Histadrut, Israel’s largest labor union.

The “strike is over and the embassy is reopened,” embassy spokesperson Elad Strohmayer told CNN.

Earlier Monday the leader of the union called for an end to a general strike 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 without consent will be met with a general strike.”

US welcomes delay in Israel's judicial reform efforts

From CNN's Kevin Liptak

U.S. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks at the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, on Monday, March 27.

U.S. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks at the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, on Monday, March 27.

(Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

The White House says it welcomes a delay in advancing Israel’s controversial judicial reforms, which have concerned President Joe Biden and US officials.

“We welcome this announcement as an opportunity to create additional time and space for compromise. A compromise is precisely what we have been calling for,” said press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

The US continues to urge Israeli leaders to find a compromise as soon as possible, she said.

“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,” Jean-Pierre added.

The US State Department also praised the delay.

Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel also said that he had “no different assessment to offer” when asked by CNN’s Kylie Atwood if the US was still confident in Netanyahu’s leadership of Israel.

CNN’s Michael Conte and Christian Sierra contributed to this report.

UK welcomes Israel's decision to pause judicial overhaul legislation

From CNN's Jessie Gretener in London

The UK “welcomes the decision today by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pause legislation to reform Israel’s judiciary,” said Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

“The UK enjoys a deep and historic relationship with Israel,” Cleverly said in a statement.

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 an end 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.

Netanyahu not backing down over "need for reform"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, on March 27.

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.

Netanyahu announces delay to judicial reform

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks on March 27.

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:

“Out of the responsibility to the nation, I decided to delay … the vote, in order to give time for discussion,” he added.

Netanyahu addresses the nation

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is addressing the nation following a day of widespread strikes and protests.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

Read more here.

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.

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.”

Here's who is on strike in Israel

From CNN's Rob Picheta and Amir Tal

Passengers look at the monitor displaying delayed flights at Ben Gurion airport, near Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 27.

Passengers look at the monitor displaying delayed flights at Ben Gurion airport, near Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 27.

(Oren Ziv/AP)

Israel has been brought to a standstill by a “historic” general strike, as anger and unrest at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to weaken the judiciary peaked.

Nurses, airport workers and many more have reduced their hours or walked out.

The initial strike action was called by Histadrut, Israel’s largest trade union federation, and has been joined or supported by workers in multiple sectors.

The federation said critical services such as hospitals, firefighters and the electric company would operate on a Saturday schedule. Food establishments and day care centers will operate as usual and public transportation will continue to run.

“Actions that could endanger human life and the security of the country will not be taken,” Histadrut added.

“Stop this judicial process before it is too late,” the federation’s leader Arnon Bar-David said, addressing Netanyahu directly as he called the strike.

Government: Employees at the local level walked out in cities across Israel, as did public sector workers in national ministries, according to Histadrut.
Health care: Nurses will walk out Tuesday, in a move announced by the Israeli Nurses Association. Dozens of hospitals and medical centers have joined the strike.
Finance: Israel’s central bank and its stock exchange are among the organizations striking, Histadrut said, along with several individual banks.
Transport: Israel’s main airport, Ben Gurion Tel Aviv, announced an immediate halt to all take-offs on Monday. They resumed a few hours later. Workers at Israel’s ports are also on strike, as are railway workers.
Education: Universities were one of the first sectors to announce a strike, with facilities across the country closed.
Culture: Museums have closed their doors, as have private entertainment companies like the Israel Film Industry Association, according Histadrut.
Retail: The Azrieli Group, a chain of shopping malls, has closed its doors.
Restaurants: McDonald’s is closing all its restaurants across Israel, the company said on Monday.

Netanyahu's government is attempting to turn Israel into a "dictatorship," former PM says

From CNN's Rob Picheta

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is “trying to make Israel a dictatorship,” according to the country’s former leader Ehud Barak, in a blistering attack against the man he once served in Cabinet.

“It’s the most severe crisis we have had in Israel in the last 75 years,” Barak, who was Israeli prime minister between 1999 and 2001, said at an event hosted by London think tank Chatham House. “It’s a threat to our democracy and our way of life.”

Barak replaced Netanyahu as Israel’s leader and later served as his defense minister for four years. But he attacked his former boss’s new, right-wing government, saying it “acts blatantly illegitimately in what it is doing.”

“We are defending democracy against those who are using the very tools that democracy gives and the very freedom that it bestows upon its citizens in order to destroy it from within,” Barak said.

His intervention came as protests and strikes swept the country, amid an outpouring of anger over Netanyahu’s efforts to weaken the judiciary.

Israel embassy in Washington, DC, closes Monday to join strike

From CNN's Alex Marquardt and Kylie Atwood

Israel’s embassy in Washington, DC, “will be closed today until further notice and no consular services will be provided,” the embassy’s spokesperson tweeted Monday.

The embassy staff were instructed to go on strike by Histadrut, Israel’s largest trade union federation. Asked if Ambassador Michael Herzog is joining the strike, the embassy spokesperson said he “follows the union’s instructions.”

Some background: The temporary shuttering of Israel’s embassy in Washington – with other missions in the US and around the world expected to follow suit – is an extraordinary act of protest in response to a domestic political dispute. Israeli diplomats told CNN they don’t recall any other time that the embassy was closed due to a political crisis at home.

Whether or not the diplomats join any public protests is unclear. Typically diplomats are not allowed to join political protests.

Netanyahu calls on all demonstrators to “behave responsibly and not to act violently”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen in Berlin on March 16.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen in Berlin on March 16.

(Sean Gallup/Getty Images/FILE)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on protesters in Jerusalem to behave responsibly and “not to act violently.”

“I call on all the demonstrators in Jerusalem, on the right and the left, to behave responsibly and not to act violently. We are brotherly people,” he said in a post on Twitter.

Netanyahu is yet to address the country directly as chaos swept Israel on Monday, beyond his tweet.

Protesters flock to Israeli streets on Monday, demanding end to judiciary overhaul

Protesters outside the Knesset on Monday.

Protesters outside the Knesset on Monday.

Umbrella Movement of Resistance against Dictatorship

The protests that have been raging across Israel for months escalated over the weekend and continued into Monday, when strikes across multiple industries also brought much of the country to a halt.

Crowds of Israelis made their way to the Knesset in Jerusalem, demanding an end to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to overhaul the judiciary, which some say threaten the country’s democratic foundations.

Women attend a demonstration in Jerusalem on March 27.

Women attend a demonstration in Jerusalem on March 27.

(Ammar Awad/Reuters)

Israelis protest near the Supreme Court during a demonstration on March 27 in Jerusalem.

Israelis protest near the Supreme Court during a demonstration on March 27 in Jerusalem.

(Ilan Rosenberg/Reuters)

Others gathered at the Supreme Court waving Israeli flags, an ever-present symbol at the demonstrations.

In Tel Aviv, crowds spilled into roads and stopped traffic, aerial footage showed.

Workers across several sectors also walked out in a general strike called by Israel’s largest union.

An aerial view shows thousands of Israelis protesting as they block Ayalon highway in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 27.

An aerial view shows thousands of Israelis protesting as they block Ayalon highway in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 27.

(Harel Ben Nun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Hardline Israeli justice minister opens door to judicial overhaul delay

From CNN’s Amir Tal in Jerusalem

Israel’s Justice Minister Yariv Levin, one of the most forceful advocates of judicial overhaul, opened the door to the possibility of delaying the legislation, warning that lawlessness could bring the government down.

The controversial legislation sparked unprecedented nationwide strikes on Monday, after Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for advocating a delay in passing the laws.

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