Despite the turmoil, Israel presses ahead with judicial reform. In a Tuesday morning session, the Knesset approved three bills aimed at curbing the power of the Supreme Court. Across the country, massive protests mark what many call the largest demonstration movement in Israeli history. Yet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government remains relentless. As citizens rally to defend democracy, lawmakers push changes that could reshape the balance of power, leaving thousands dissatisfied. Police activity at demonstrations is rising, and arrests accompany this ongoing tension. (Source: News outlets reporting on Israeli political reform and street demonstrations, 2024)
All measures intended to place the judiciary more firmly under political control are nearing final approval. With two votes still required in the Knesset, the current bill promises new limits, including a preventive immunity from review and constraints on the Attorney General’s ability to determine the prime minister unfit for office. It also expands the potential for a legislative override in judicial decisions. In this framework, Israel’s Supreme Court would see its power to check the legislative and executive branches reduced, as a new governing majority policies take shape in the country this month. This shift signals a path toward broader executive influence. (Source: Legislative updates and expert analysis on Israeli constitutional reform, 2024)
Against this backdrop, Israeli society has taken to public spaces, gathering in squares and streets for demonstrations that have persisted weekly for ten weeks in major cities. The scale of participation—hundreds of thousands of citizens—highlights a rare, sustained mobilization in the history of the Jewish state. Opposition to the new executive has even extended beyond borders, with protests in the United States where residents have urged economic boycotts against figures tied to the government. Additionally, hundreds of Israeli writers, artists, and intellectuals have urged leaders in Germany and the United Kingdom to reconsider upcoming visits by Netanyahu. (Source: Global responses to Israel’s judicial reform, 2024)
Protest victories
In recent days, protesters achieved notable successes, including compelling the prime minister and his wife to travel by helicopter after protests effectively shut down access to the Rome-bound route. Another win for the opposition featured the reintegration of a reserve officer into the Israeli air force who had been dismissed for attempting to coordinate protest-related flight activity. Despite these gestures, Netanyahu underscored his commitment to the mandate he secured in the November elections, claiming the electorate gave him a clear directive after a fifth election in three and a half years. (Source: On-the-ground reports from major cities and military personnel, 2024)
In remarks at a council gathering, the president pointed to a lack of willingness from the opposition to engage in dialogue after months of calls for constructive discussion. He framed the current reform as a response to real issues while noting that criticism of media coverage has accompanied the debate. The opposition has nonetheless extended across many sectors of Israeli society and beyond its borders, with hundreds of thousands of people aligning with protest calls every week, reflecting a broad spectrum of political beliefs. (Source: Official statements and public discourse surrounding the reform debate, 2024)
Technology sector
The tech sector stands out in the opposition’s reach. Proposals to diminish judiciary independence have unsettled businessmen who had previously viewed the climate as stable. Israel’s renowned startup ecosystem, which has helped the country become a global hub for innovation, is watching closely as the new government seeks to redefine governance. The fear among business leaders is that a weaker judiciary could undermine the stable environment that has underpinned rapid tech growth. (Source: Industry reactions and market commentary on judicial reform, 2024)
Netanyahu recognizes the role of technology in Israel’s economy. With technology and innovation contributing a substantial share of GDP, the sector remains a critical engine of growth, employing a significant portion of the workforce and generating a large share of tax revenue. The growing political and social tensions are already felt in markets and investor sentiment, including fluctuations in the local currency as signals of potential shifts in economic policy. The situation continues to unfold, shaping expectations for how Israel will balance democratic norms with the ambitions of its leadership. (Source: Economic analyses and market forecasts in response to reform debates, 2024)