Israel approves key judicial reform clause as protests flare

JERUSALEM — Israel's government on Monday pushed through parliament a key clause of its controversial judicial reform package despite mass protests that have plagued the country for months.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition allies approved the bill in a parliament vote boycotted by opposition lawmakers, some of whom shouted "shame, shame".

Critics say the judicial revamp could undermine the country's political system by removing checks and balances on the Israeli executive.

Netanyahu's coalition government argues that the proposed changes are needed to ensure a better balance of power.

The bill passed with 64 votes in the 120-seat chamber. It aims to limit the powers of the Supreme Court in striking down government decisions that the judges deem "unreasonable".

The reform package has triggered one of the biggest protest movements in Israel's history since it was unveiled by the government in January.

The Histadrut trade union confederation threatened a general strike in response to the parliamentary vote, urging the government to resume negotiations with the opposition.

"Any unilateral progress of the reform will have serious consequences," Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David said in a statement.

"Over the coming days, I will bring together the heads of the top institutions of the trade union confederation to prepare to declare a general strike if necessary," he added.

A walkout staged by Histadrut in March within hours prompted Netanyahu to halt the legislative process, paving the way for cross-party talks which ultimately collapsed.

While legislators met inside, protesters outside parliament booed, beat drums, blew horns and chanted "shame".

The vote took place hours after Netanyahu, 73, returned to the parliament only a day after undergoing surgery to have a pacemaker fitted.

Police outside the legislature used water cannons and mounted officers were deployed against a crowd of demonstrators.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog — who had tried but failed to broker a compromise after half a year of mass street protests — earlier warned that Israel faced a "national emergency".

Netanyahu has been urged by Washington on the one side to reach a compromise with the opposition, while his coalition partners are pushing for legislation to go ahead with more judicial changes to follow.

In a statement to news site Axios late on Sunday, US President Joe Biden warned against pushing ahead with the legal changes that were sparking divisions.

Agencies Via Xinhua