Israel- March 2023

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.

Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters, The New York Times, The Jerusalem Post