Israel MPs prepare divisive judicial bill for final votes as protests intensify

Demonstrators gather in Haifa while others march on Jerusalem

Demonstrators during a protest against the Israeli government's judicial overhaul bill outside the US embassy in Tel Aviv this week. AFP

An Israeli parliamentary committee has adopted a key clause of the hard-right government's disputed judicial overhaul plans, according to a statement on Thursday, as protests intensified ahead of final votes on the bill.

In a marathon debate that ended late on Wednesday, parliament's law committee approved the proposal, which would limit the reasonability clause that allows the judiciary to strike down government decisions.

After the panel's endorsement, "with nine Knesset members supporting and seven opposing", according to a statement from parliament, the bill is due for second and third readings on Monday.

If approved next week by the full parliament, it would be the first major component of the government's proposed legal overhaul to become law.

Opponents of the government's reforms, unveiled in January shortly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power, view them as a threat to Israeli democracy.

Protesters have kept up pressure on the government with a months-long wave of demonstrations.

On Thursday morning, demonstrators gathered outside government offices in the northern port city of Haifa, organisers said, as hundreds were marching from Tel Aviv to the seat of parliament in Jerusalem.

The judicial reforms have split the nation and sparked one of the biggest protest movements in Israel's history, with weekly demonstrations often drawing tens of thousands.

Other proposals include giving the government a greater say in the appointment of judges.

The reform package has also drawn international criticism, including from Israel's close ally the United States.

The government, which includes Mr Netanyahu's extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies, argues that the changes are necessary to ensure a better balance of power.

Some critics of Mr Netanyahu, who is fighting corruption charges in court, say he is trying to undermine a judicial system he has accused of targeting him unfairly for political reasons.

Military threat

The proposals have caused rifts within the government, with defence minister Yoav Gallant briefly being suspended in March by Mr Netanyahu after calling the reforms a "clear, immediate and tangible danger to the security of the state".

Threats to withhold military service have extended to the air force and earlier this week 160 pilot reservists threatened to step down if the reforms go through.

It is thought that hundreds who did not sign the letter are supportive of the resistance.

Forum 555, a group of about 1,300 former pilots, including some who are still reservists, is also against the reforms. Hundreds of reservists, including those from the Mossad security service and Special Forces units have also sent warnings that they will not accept calls to duty in protest at Mr Netanyahu’s plans.

Mr Gallant this week changed tack, warning against politicisation of the military.

"The security challenges require us to be highly prepared, it's imperative to maintain our readiness and cohesion. Those who call for non-mobilisation harm the [military] and the security of the country," he said.

Many are unconvinced. Nadav Argaman, the former head of Israel's internal security service, Shin Bet, gave an extensive interview with Israeli army radio on Wednesday, saying the reforms amounted to a coup.

"This is a regime coup. We all served under different governments … and received different orders; we believed more in some and less in others; it doesn’t matter. There is a different reality here, regime change is a new reality," he said, echoing the criticisms of many protesters who say the plan for the judiciary amounts to a power grab.

"Any legislation that does not have a broad consensus will lead the State of Israel to chaos,” Mr Argaman warned. “If the law passes – we are a different country. We are on the brink of civil war."

Based on this logic, Mr Argaman said "the termination of volunteering is in order”.