Small Fires, Flaring Issues

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Israeli police launched a crackdown against thousands of protesters this week, as demonstrations against the right-wing government’s plan to overhaul Israel’s judiciary continue into their second month, the Washington Post reported.

Authorities threw stun grenades, fired water cannons and arrested at least 40 people during Wednesday’s “Day of Disruption,” which saw protesters blocking major roads across the country.

The clashes came as the months-long anti-government protests continue against planned judicial reforms, which critics say would threaten Israel’s democratic foundations. The changes would weaken Israel’s Supreme Court by allowing a parliamentary majority to override the court’s decisions and influence the committee that appoints judges.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition – a grouping of ultra-Orthodox and hardline nationalist parties – said the proposal is necessary to limit the authority of unelected judges.

But opponents have countered that Netanyahu – who is on trial for corruption – has a personal vendetta against the legal system and is pushing the country toward authoritarianism, the Associated Press added.

Meanwhile, analysts said the use of force by authorities during Wednesday’s demonstrations is rarely seen inside Israel and was more reminiscent of Israeli military operations in the West Bank.

Meanwhile, Israeli security forces have come under scrutiny in Israel over the past few days for not doing more to hold Israeli settlers accountable for a violent weekend rampage in the West Bank.

Violence erupted in the Palestinian town of Huwara over the weekend, after a Palestinian gunman killed two Israeli brothers. Soon after, hundreds of Israeli settlers rampaged through Huwara, attacking civilians and setting cars, homes and businesses ablaze.

Police arrested 11 settlers, releasing five because of a lack of evidence.

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