Israel Protests Cause Nationwide Disruption and Grounding Flights

Key Highlights

• The Israel protests erupted in response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to overhaul the judiciary, which was seen as a “threat to democracy” by opposition members.
• The protests grew nationwide and even reached the airports, temporarily grounding flights at David Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem International Airport.
• As a result of the protests, Netanyahu suspended the legislative process, and the head of the Histadrut labor union called for a general strike if the proposals were not halted.

Amid the approaching Holy Week and Easter, tourism in Israel has been virtually shut down due to a series of nationwide protests, known as Israel protests, that erupted overnight and reached the airports, temporarily grounding flights at David Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem International Airport, as reported by ABC News. 

Protests Erupt Over Prime Minister’s Plan to Overhaul Judiciary

The Israel protests were in response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to overhaul the judiciary, which he believed would restore balance to the system of government. However, opposition members viewed it as a “threat to democracy,” leading tens of thousands of protesters to take to the streets in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. 

Sources informed Reuters that Netanyahu would halt the overhaul due to the Israel protests. President Isaac Herzog called for an immediate stop to the legislative process “for the sake of the unity of the people of Israel, for the sake of responsibility.” 

Dismissal of Defense Minister Raises Concerns of Political Control Over Judicial Appointments

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who had previously opposed the new legislative plan, was dismissed from his position, raising concerns that the government would “tighten political control over judicial appointments and allow parliament to overrule the Supreme Court.” 

Supporters of the reforms were expected to hold counter-demonstrations in Jerusalem on Monday night. The head of the Histadrut labor union called for a general strike if the proposals were not halted amidst the Israel protests.