As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet gathered to vote on the firing of Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara on Sunday, thousands gathered outside the Knesset to protest the move.Crowds then took the protest to Netanyahu’s Aza Street home, while Shift 101 movement demonstrators also gathered there, calling for the return of the hostages.At least two demonstrators were arrested, according to the Maarach Otef Atzurim, an organization that provides legal advice and aid regarding protests.
Protests initially broke out last week across Israel after Netanyahu announced his intention to advance the firing of Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head Ronen Bar, a move seen by many as a direct threat to democracy, in part because of the agency’s role in investigating the Qatargate case and the prime minister’s possible involvement in it.The rallies are also viewed as a continued response to the highly contentious judicial reform.Calls to demonstrate only intensified as the country returned to fighting in Gaza on Tuesday. Protesters called for the prioritization of bringing the hostages home and accused the government of returning to war as part of a political move to maintain power rather than for the good of the people.
“If the October 7 government decides to disregard a High Court of Justice ruling, it will become a criminal government,” the Yesh Atid leader told the multitude in attendance. “We will not be extras in Netanyahu’s crazy theater,” he added.Histadrut labor federation head Arnon Bar-David also warned of possible economic implications, saying on Friday that a refusal to comply with a High Court ruling was a crossing of a “red line.”He added that he would not “sit quietly while the State of Israel was being dismantled.”
The Presidium of the Israeli Business Sector, which represents 12 companies that together employ 2 million workers, said it was deeply concerned over the attempt to oust Bar and called on the government to “uphold the rule of law and respect court rulings.”“In a democratic state, the law binds all entities – citizens, businesses, and the government alike. Non-compliance with judicial decisions sets a dangerous precedent that could undermine economic and social stability,” it said.
Other protesting groups
A group of Israeli hi-tech companies and venture capital funds also threatened economic repercussions, saying that “if the government decides to lead Israel with open eyes into a constitutional crisis, we will shut down the companies and launch a public struggle with the might of all of Israeli society.”
According to its statement, “A violation of a High Court order or any court ruling is a red line from which there is no return. Such a breach would turn Israel into a third-world country, driving away foreign investors.”
Additional protests are planned for the coming days, including one day-long one planned outside the Prime Minister’s Residence on Monday, as well as another Shift 101 protest for the hostages.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.