It’s been less than three weeks since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formed the most right-wing and religious government in Israel’s history, but he has already faced mounting criticism from within Israel and the diaspora.
In the last week, tens of thousands gathered to protest against the government's proposals to overhaul the judicial system, which critics say threaten Israel's democracy.
President Isaac Herzog also voiced his concerns. "We are in the grips of a profound disagreement that is tearing our nation apart. This conflict worries me deeply, as it worries many across Israel and the (Jewish) diaspora," he said in a statement.
But for the government, the reforms are long overdue, arguing that the High Court is too powerful and elitist and prevents lawmakers from passing legislation as it has a left wing agenda.
Controversial National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has already drawn many headlines for his views. His adviser Yishai Fleisher told the JC that critics should show restraint.
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Ben Gvir adviser Yishai Fleischer (Twitter)
“We need to give this government a chance, they won by a big majority and we need to let them do their job. Instead of accusing them and causing media hysteria let’s see how this government works,” he said.
“No one wants to be homophobic or racist. We want to protect Jews in the land of Israel.
“First and foremost, Minister Ben-Gvir is concerned with ordinary people’s security. Sometimes in the diaspora people underestimate the security challenges here -- the perception is that it’s strong -- but that's sometimes an exaggeration.
“We have many enemies within and without. Loads of areas in Jerusalem are no-go zones. We want to criminalise protection rackets and put security above all for all Israelis, not just Jews. When you fight jihad you also relieve Arabs from the oppression of Hamas and the PLO.
“We are sending our love and yearning for a close relationship with our beloved brothers and sisters in the diaspora.”
Of last week's visit by Mr Ben-Gvir to Temple Mount, Mr Fleischer says that if people think this Jewish basic right is a provocation, then it's an issue. “I don’t think basic civil rights for Jewish people in our holiest place is a provocation. He did it in good taste, he got there early in the morning, with coordination of the secret service and the chief of police and the prime minister. He’s been doing that for years. We are here in our land and we have basic rights and if that’s a provocation then that is a problem because then jihadism is the norm. It’s not. We are here in our land to have freedoms and connect with our most spiritual place -- the Temple Mount.
“I think that we have to distinguish between homophobia -- which no one in this government espouses -- and people who don’t want to see an agenda of forced secular coercion.
“We don’t want to tear down bridges but we want to make sure that religious people have their worldview heard and taught to children. That’s also important.
“Ben-Gvir doesn’t want to cut out secular people or LGBTQ people. We seek to be a responsible government.
“Gay pride may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s not our agenda to cancel it. We want to defend all Israelis no matter who, but also to defend those Israelis that don’t want to see secular coercion or to deprive those who believe in their traditional Torah tradition, and that’s what kept the Jewish people alive all these years.”
Minister Zohar
Mickey Zohar, the minister for culture and sport (handout)
Likud’s Miki Zohar, the new Minister for Culture and Sport, told the JC that people shouldn't worry about the protests.
“I don't think the reforms have divided a lot of people. The thousands of protesters are not a majority, they’re a minority, and the people trust us to be able to carry the reforms out.
“We hear all of the criticism and we are very concerned about it, but we got elected by the people. We won the election and people expect us to make the reforms that we promised them.
“Once we have done it, people will realise it's actually a balanced reform, there is an option for the Supreme Court to cancel rules but will do that on special occasions. Eventually the reforms will be balanced and give Israel a stronger democracy, people will eventually realise we are doing the right thing.”
Despite all this, Mr Zohar, a Netanyahu loyalist, says he is looking forward to his first role as a minister: “It's an important position. I have great plans and will carry out the things that I want to do.”
Head of Labour party
Labour party leader Merav Michaeli (Photo: handout)
But Labour Party leader Merav Michaeli gave a stark warning to the diaspora. She told the JC: “Everyone is concerned about this government but they have us to stand with them and protect what Israel needs to be and is, and that is the homeland of all the Jewish people, wherever they are.”
Opposition MK Moshe Kinley Tur-Paz, of Yesh Atid, told the JC he is also concerned: “Although I am a religious person and live in a settlement and most of my neighbours are right-wing, I see this government as a big problem. They are weakening Israeli democracy. I believe they believe in it. Israel is difficult because it has to hold both sides: to be a Jewish nation and a democratic nation. They don’t always go together.
“When the minister of justice comes along with a bulldozer he will damage minorities in Israel: the Arabs, the ultra-Orthodox, etc. Anyone who needs a court of justice to defend him will be the first person to suffer from these changes.
“We are weakening the power of the ministry of justice and courts.
“The weaker you are the more you need the court. The right-wing are sure they will stay in government: they are forgetting this.
“In recent times, both the charedim and the left wing came out to protest. Let’s not forget.
“We need to praise all those who came out in the rain last week to protest. We will continue to protest. They don’t understand the strength of the people.
“We are going to fight [these reforms] both in parliament and in court and in protests on the streets.”
