Over 1500 British Israelis took to the streets of London to protest against Benjamin Netanyahu's contentious judicial reforms in Israel. The demonstrations centered around Tower Bridge, where
protesters passionately expressed their opposition to the government's proposed changes to the judiciary.
Sharon Shochat, a representative from Defend Israeli Democracy UK, emphasized the significance of marching on an iconic bridge, drawing parallels to the large-scale marches in Jerusalem. The protesters aimed to send a resolute message to both Israel and the global community that they are committed to fighting for the preservation of Israel's democracy.
The London protests were the culmination of ongoing demonstrations that had been taking place in the city since February. Simultaneously, demonstrations occurred in 25 cities worldwide, including marches in the US, Europe, and Australia. Notably, over 1000 people marched on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, demonstrating the widespread support for the cause.
Shany Granot-Lubaton, who participated in the New York protest, described the scale of the demonstrations as unprecedented, indicating the deep emotional impact and sense of urgency felt by those opposing the judicial reforms.
Back in Israel, weekly protests had been ongoing for 28 weeks following the government's announcement of its intentions to reform the judicial system. The protests in London were timed ahead of the Knesset vote on the "reasonableness bill," which ultimately passed, leading to curtailment of the judiciary's power in Israel.
The bill's passage also saw thousands of military reservists threaten not to report for duty, potentially causing a crisis in the military and having negative implications for Israel's regional security and deterrence strategy. This raised concerns about potential escalations in the region if Iran or Hezbollah took advantage of the situation.
The Board of Deputies expressed disappointment that efforts to find a compromise between supporters and opponents of the proposed judicial reforms had failed. They urged Israeli leaders to urgently return to dialogue to prevent further constitutional crisis, which could profoundly damage Israeli society, its regional security, and its global standing.
The Board highlighted the significance of preserving Israel as a democratic state, considering it the greatest achievement of the Jewish people in modern times. They called for its continued development and protection as a priority for Jews worldwide. The protests in London and around the world reflect the strong concerns of people who wish to safeguard Israel's democratic principles. Photo by The State of Israel, Wikimedia commons.