Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says the country is facing civil war after protesters took over the streets after the controversial judicial review bill was voted through in the Knesset on Monday.
– The government has decided to threaten the foundations of Israeli democracy and that is not something we can accept or tolerate, he says to Britain’s Channel 4.
Large-scale demonstrations are taking place in Israel since the country’s parliament, the Knesset, voted through the controversial law that, among other things, prevents the Supreme Court from stopping government decisions.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who leads the far-right government, and who has been pushing for the proposal to be adopted, defends the reform by saying that it is “a necessary democratic step”.
Olmert: The government has declared war on the people
But Ehud Olmert says that the now clubbed law has made the situation in the country worse and that we are now heading into a civil war.
– This is the first time the government has declared war on the people and the state of Israel. Thousands are out in the streets as the elite of the Israeli army say they intend to leave their posts. We are heading for a civil war, he told Channel 4.
When asked if the days of Israeli democracy are numbered, he answers:
– There is a serious threat. The government has decided to threaten the foundations of Israeli democracy and that is not something we can accept or tolerate.
Doctors strike in protest against the law
On Tuesday, the medical union in Israel announced a 24-hour strike in protest against the new law, reports The Guardian. According to the union, which is said to represent 95 percent of the corps, the strike will be carried out with the exception of the country’s emergency medical care and for the medical care in Jerusalem.
On Monday evening, the streets around the Knesset in Jerusalem were filled with around 20,000 protesters who waved blue and white flags and chanted “we will never give up”. Demonstrators are said to have also placed stickers on the building with messages such as “we will not serve a dictator”, “democracy or rebellion” and “save Israel from Netanyahu”.
During the night towards Monday, protests will also take place in Tel Aviv. According to the police, 18 people have been arrested in connection with the demonstrations after attacking police officers and disturbing public order, reports The Times of Israel.