[News Figures] Aftermath of 'Judicial Reform'... Israeli Prime Minister 'Netanyahu'

Netanyahu "Measures Necessary for Democracy"
"Destruction of Democracy" Protesters Fierce Opposition

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who pushed through legislation to curtail the judiciary's powers, defended the move as a necessary measure for democracy. Israel was thrown into chaos as protesters opposing the bill staged intense demonstrations in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and other cities.

On the 24th (local time), following the passage of the bill aimed at reducing judicial authority in the parliament, Netanyahu emphasized in a televised video message, "This legislation is a necessary democratic measure to restore the balance among the three branches of government." He added, "With this legislation, the government elected by the people can implement policies that reflect the decisions of the majority of citizens," and stated, "Realizing the will of the voters is not the end of democracy but its foundation."

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
[Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

On the same day, the Israeli Knesset (parliament) passed the 'Basic Law Amendment on the Judiciary' after second and third readings. The Israeli parliament consists of 120 seats. The bill was passed with 64 votes in favor and none against. Opposition lawmakers boycotted the final vote following the third reading in protest of the breakdown of last-minute negotiations.

According to the amendment, the Supreme Court of Israel, the highest court, will no longer be able to overturn major executive decisions such as ministerial appointments through judicial review. Following the bill's passage, tens of thousands of protesters waved flags and demonstrated at the parliament, the Supreme Court, and the Ayalon Highway passing through the capital Tel Aviv, according to local media including the AP news agency and the Times of Israel on the 25th.

Yair Lapid, former prime minister and representative of the opposition, criticized the move as "a sad day" and "not a victory for the coalition but the destruction of Israeli democracy." Approximately 10,000 reservists, who make up a significant portion of Israel's military power, declared refusal to serve, and Histadrut, Israel's largest labor federation with 800,000 members, announced plans for a general strike.

Israeli police are arresting protest participants in front of the Knesset in Jerusalem on the 24th (local time).

Who Is Netanyahu, Criticized for 'Destroying Democracy'... Youngest and Longest-Serving Prime Minister in History

Netanyahu, criticized for pushing legislation that undermines the judiciary, was born in 1949 in Tel Aviv, Israel. His father was a historian and a Zionist activist (a nationalist movement for the establishment of a Jewish nation-state) and was known as a professor at an American university.

In 1963, the entire family moved to the United States following his father. Netanyahu returned to Israel at the age of 18 and served as a special forces officer for five years. He participated in the 1968 Beirut airport raid and the 1973 Middle East War, and later completed his studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States. His brother Yonatan reportedly died during a rescue operation at Uganda's Entebbe airport in 1976, where a plane hijacked by Palestinian militants was freed.

Israeli citizens resisting judicial reform legislation and police officers blocking them.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

In 1982, Netanyahu began his public service career as a diplomat at the Israeli embassy in the United States. He entered politics in 1988 as a member of the Likud party and became party leader in 1993. After Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who pursued the Oslo peace accords, was assassinated by right-wing extremists, Netanyahu became the youngest prime minister in history at age 43 in 1996.

After losing the 1999 election and handing power to the Labor Party, he retired from politics but returned in 2001 when the Likud party won the election and Ariel Sharon became prime minister. Netanyahu served as foreign minister and finance minister.

Following three elections since April 2019, Netanyahu agreed to form a coalition government with centrist Benny Gantz's Blue and White party, becoming a five-term prime minister and holding the record as the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history. However, during his tenure, he was indicted by prosecutors in 2019 on charges including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust related to allegations of receiving illicit benefits. The trial is ongoing, and the recent legal amendment has been criticized as a 'shield law' to protect him.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.