When the bill was voted through, opposition members left the Knesset parliament in Jerusalem in protest.
Around 20,000 people have gathered outside parliament to protest the government’s proposal. The protesters have blocked roads and set up tent camps. At least five people were injured when riot police used water cannons against the protesters.
– Ashamed! “This is the most considerate demonstration ever,” shouted one protester, according to The Times of Israel.
According to Israeli police, 19 people have been arrested.
Democratic decline
The approved law is part of a larger, heavily criticized package of laws which, among other things, means restrictions on the powers of the Supreme Court and that parliament gets more power.
– The bill is one of four, and deals with the so-called reasonableness law. It means reduced opportunities for the Supreme Court to stop political decisions such as inappropriate ministerial appointments and appointments to high positions, says Anders Persson, docent in political science at Linnaeus University.
The mass protests against the law package have been going on for months and are among the largest in Israel’s history. Critics believe the laws threaten Israel’s status as a democratic country.
– The country will rank significantly worse in the democracy ranking index. By all accounts, this is a milestone for Israel’s democratic decline, says Anders Persson.
The country’s national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, spoke during the afternoon and announced that several changes to the law are to be expected.
– The many more laws that we have to vote through as part of this legal review, he says according to Times of Israel.
White House: Regrettable
The US government has also criticized the bill. As late as Monday night, President Biden warned Israel’s government, saying the bill risks dividing Israeli society.
– Given the major challenges Israel faces, it does not make sense for Israeli leaders to push this through, the focus should instead be on gathering people and finding consensus.
The legal package has parliamentary support but not popular support. Opinion polls show that a majority of Israelis are against it. During Monday, several large shopping centers are closed in protest against the government’s bill.
Netanyahu’s government is described as the most right-wing and extreme in Israel’s history.
The White House called the yes vote “regrettable” in a statement shortly after the results were made available.
– It is regrettable that the vote today took place with the smallest possible majority, said a spokesperson for the US National Security Council.