The protests against the government’s criticized bill in Israel continue in full force.
During Saturday, tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets to show their dissatisfaction – and the demonstrations are expected to continue.
– We see a renewed mobilization, says Isabell Schierenbeck, professor of political science.
– There is no alternative, says Jonatan Macznik, Swedish spokesperson for the protest movement.
On Saturday, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Israel to protest against the government’s criticized bill to limit the powers of the Supreme Court.
The protests have been going on for 28 weeks – and have been given new life due to the Knesset parliament taking a first step towards approving parts of the bill.
– Previously, the government tried to push through a whole package of reforms. What the government is doing now, after freezing the reforms for a period, is trying to push through part of the proposal, says Isabell Schierenbeck, professor of political science at the University of Gothenburg.
“Netanyahu has gone too far”
She herself has been on the ground in Israel to follow the protests. To TV4 Nyheterna, she says that you see a “renewed mobilization” in the country after the government’s new attempt to change the laws – which led to broad support for the demonstrations.
– When I have been there and followed the protests on the spot, it is not uncommon for people to say that they previously voted for Netanyahu but that he has now gone too far and that they can no longer support him, says Isabell Schierenbeck.
She believes that the protests will continue with great strength in the coming time.
Jonatan Macznik, Swedish spokesperson for the protest movement in Israel, has himself participated in the protests. He says that the broad support is felt out on the streets.
– I see a political awakening among many who previously felt that they had no opportunity to influence and who are now taking to the streets to protest, he says to TV4 Nyheterna.
“Can’t do anything but stop”
According to him, people are protesting to preserve democracy in the country.
– We can do nothing but call a halt to this proposal that dismantles our democracy and the protection of human rights in Israel, he says.
According to him, large protests are planned from Tuesday.
If the government, despite the protests, were to get through all of the criticized bills, political scientist Isabell Schierenbeck sees a scenario in which Israel moves in a non-democratic direction.
– The division in the country and the international criticism will increase. A number of politicians and representatives of international organizations have said that it is a slide in a non-democratic direction, she says.