Could Israel’s crisis lead to civil war - expert explains

In Israel, a constitutional crisis has seen thousands take to the streets, fearing that their rights could be eroded, as the government plans to weaken the powers of the highest court in the land.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu’s far-right coalition argues the Supreme Court is too powerful and they’re simply righting the wrongs of the system.

Protesters say the overhaul would erode Israel’s proud democracy and lead them towards a dictatorship.

After weeks of protests and pressure from all sides, Netanyahu finally backed down - but only slightly. He’s now paused the reforms ahead of the next session of parliament in a few weeks.

In this episode, editor in chief of Haaretz Esther Solomon unpicks Israel’s biggest protests in decades - and wonders whether Netayanhu’s pause is a chance for his side to regroup of yet more battles to come.


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[AG-nijm]

Whatever your thoughts on Israel and Palestine, it's still amazing to see the public rise up to stop power grabs by corrupt Government officials

[victormeidan]

Interviewing an Haaretz editor about Israeli politics is equivalent to interviewing a Morning Star Editor about British politics.

[kamilali]

Those protesters were very violent. They almost broken to Netanyahu house to beat him to death. What an amazing democracy so called Israel.

[murrayeldred]

I knew he was a Chancer when I first saw him on CNN during the 1st Gulf War.

[AuroraColoradoUSA]

Protests against allowing the people more control over the judiciary. That's amusing...

[frankvanderpoll]

Excellent analysis of the deep divide in Israel's society that is coming to the surface in recent years and especially during the last three months. I find it worrying that we don't hear these kinds of conversations on television here in Israel. People prefer to shout, outsmart and silence each other, instead of actually listening and trying to get a clearer picture of what is going on.
Even from before the founding of the state there have been opposing visions about it's character and future. I agree with Esther Solomon's understanding that this is what the demonstrations are about. I wonder how many of those who participate in them think about how the idea of a liberal, democratic society relates to 56 years of military occupation and a collective narrative that excludes one voice out of every five people living here.

[AzzekaTheRealOne]

George Carlin Its a BIG club and i aint in it👁👁

[Sheepmstr]

PSA: ha'aerez is a fairly small left wing publication

[richjacobs]

Your government as it is will not work you got three different governments you need one government of the People by the people and for the people

[michael]

They need to get rid of the corrupt bar-stood

[beatpeace]

Isreali: why aren’t you protesting with us

Palestinian: we’ve been protesting and fighting for our lives and livelihood and fighting to keep our homes and our children from being killed or send to prison for 70 years WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!

Isreali: uhh 😅

[monamak]

"The world started to pay attention to apartheid South Africa in the late 1970s, this was mainly when the USA-UK started to turn against the white regime. Now I’m beginning to see that the attention of the world will also shift to isolating Israel only when USA-UK turn against it. This is the precise problem with the continuing colonial order of the world - where something must happen for as long as these nations prefer. In a fair normal world, the isolation and defeat of apartheid Israel should have been achieved as soon as the progressive nation states began to identify it - whether they come from the North or South. Let’s continue fighting for the freedom of the Palestinian people, let’s not give airtime to guys like these in the name of polite society. There should be nothing to debate about settler colonialism and the dehumanization of people in their own land. We must fight against this bullshit man." author, Pedro Mzilieni

[gointruth]

Never let any religion mislead you. “Many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many; and as lawlessness spreads, men’s love for one another will grow cold. But the man who holds out to the end will be saved. ” – (Jesus the Messiah at Matthew 24: 11-13) –

[shawnmoradypoor]

throw bb and the gang away world would support it

[richjacobs]

Listen to me Netanyahu is the king of Israel even if nobody knows it he knows it😂

[richjacobs]

See prime minister really means king of Israel

[Dublinireland]

For the moment I believe that Israel should go out of its way to get on with the Palestinians and put business Palestinians way and make more of an effort to get on with their neighbour Palestinians I believe that things would changed in Israel's favor if they did this it would be true to say that Israel has become quite a rich country but the Palestinians don't have very much at all so please help the Palestinians and things will change for the better

[AbuSousPR]

let's hope Bibi treats Israeli protesters as he treated Palestinians

[winterrising]

wow so unbiased and definitely not one sided! women always tell the truth and would never lie!

[richjacobs]

Israel would be much better off if they just elect a king every 4 years or 8 years and be done with it