Israel

Christian, Jewish and Muslim holidays coincided in April, and it was a particularly deadly month in Israel and Palestinian territories. Tensions escalated after the Israeli military stormed al Aqsa Mosque on 5 April, triggering a spike in violence from both sides that continued throughout the month. Israeli authorities carried out multiple raids and attacks on worshipers at the mosque, resulting in hundreds of injured individuals and arrests. Palestinians’ religious freedoms were further limited as the Israeli government extended the closure of the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strips, restricting access to the mosque. Christian activities and places of public gathering were also affected by government restrictions on visits to Jerusalem's Church of Holy Sepulchre and heavy-handed tactics used by Israeli police blocking entrance to the site. According to community leaders, hostility and violence towards the Christian community has increased since the start of 2023. A Relief Web report revealed that  the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli authorities during the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 increased by approximately 400 per cent. 

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Two weeks after the government’s proposed judicial reform legislation passed a first vote in the Israeli Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the postponement of the reforms. The controversial bill has been met with international criticism, months of protests across Israel and growing opposition from within government. On 25 March, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant called on the government to halt the reforms, citing concerns over national security. Prime Minister Netanyahu responded by dismissing Gallant, a decision that intensified anti-government demonstrations overnight and triggered nationwide labour strikes that paralyzed the country on 26 March. In response to increasing popular discontent, Netanyahu reinstated Gallant on 10 April. In an effort to alleviate escalating tensions and reach a broad national consensus, further parliamentary votes were delayed and will be taken up again during the Knesset’s summer session.

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Violence and tensions continued to rise in the West Bank this month as  Israeli authorities intensified settlement operations by conducting a series of daily raids that resulted in deadly clashes with Palestinians. On 22 February, Israeli forces conducted the deadliest raid in years, in which 11 Palestinians were killed and hundreds injured. This prompted a wave of protests and Palestinian attacks against Israelis, killing two settlers. In retaliation, a mob of Israeli settlers rampaged through several Palestinian villages, burning dozens of homes and cars, leaving one man dead and nearly 400 injured. In the first two months of 2023, 62 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops and civilians, making it the deadliest start to a year since 2000. In an attempt to relieve tensions, Israeli and Palestinian officials met in Jordan and issued a joint statement pledging to de-escalate surging violence. Israel vowed to pause new settlement discussions for four months but denied it would suspend settlement expansion. Also in February, Israel announced the legalization of several settlements in the West Bank and approved an amended Citizenship Law that permits the removal of Israeli citizenship and residency of Palestinians convicted of terrorism.

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A month into office, Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government has pursued numerous policies that have been met with nationwide anti-government protests. In one of the largest protest movements ever seen in Israel, more than 100,000 people took to the streets of Tel Aviv on 21 January against PM Netanyahu chanting ‘No to dictatorship’ and ‘Democracy.’ Protestors have particularly reacted to the proposed judicial reforms package that would politicise the Supreme Court and limit its powers. Many analysts fear these changes could foster corruption, set back minority rights, and could lead to an institutional crisis and erosion of democracy. Other proposed legislation includes a bill that would enable the removal of Arab-led parties from the Knesset for voicing solidarity with Palestinian victims of Israeli government actions.

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