Friend,
Prime Minister Netanyahu and his far-right allies this week took a major step toward carrying out their “judicial overhaul.” Early Tuesday morning, the Knesset passed its first vote to strip out the “reasonableness” clause, undercutting the Supreme Court’s ability to review lawmakers’ controversial decisions.
The “reform” must pass two more readings before it becomes law – and the coalition is determined to secure its final passage before the end of July.
The dangers are clear: With a seriously weakened judiciary, Netanyahu’s government will have a set path to dismiss the Prime Minister’s corruption charges, undercut key rights and freedoms, and accelerate settlement expansion and annexation in the West Bank.
Building on 27 weeks of protest, pro-democracy organizers responded by declaring Tuesday a “Day of Disruption.” Tens of thousands marched across Israel, swarmed Ben-Gurion Airport and blocked Ayalon highway, Tel Aviv’s main artery. Police responded to civil resistance with intense dispersal measures, including water cannons and charging cavalry.
Join us on Tuesday for a J Stream briefing with leaders of the movement that's mobilizing in defense of Israeli democracy – both in Israel and here in the US. Mika Almog, an Israeli columnist and activist, and Offir Gutelzon, co-founder of the Israeli-American-led protest group UnXeptable, will speak with J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami.
With Israel’s President Herzog arriving in Washington next week for a meeting with the White House and an address to Congress, the importance of maintaining a shared commitment to democracy will be thrust into the spotlight. As pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans, we know its critical to stand in solidarity with the protest movement, and urge our elected leaders to do the same.
Join us Tuesday, July 18 at 1pm Eastern for this urgent discussion about the deepening judicial crisis, what comes next for the pro-democracy movement, and what we in the US can and must be doing to challenge the far-right’s disastrous agenda for Israel.
Thank you,
Logan Bayroff
Vice President of Communications, J Street
