Thousands Protest Across Israel Against Government's Controversial Legislative Blitz

On Saturday evening, thousands gathered at Habima Square in Tel Aviv to protest against the Israeli government and its rapid legislative push ahead of the Knesset's dissolution. Simultaneously, demonstrations took place in dozens of locations nationwide, including Haifa, Tzomet Tzemach, Maagan Michael Bridge, Rosh Pina, Nahalal, and Tzomet Karmiel. The main protest at Habima Square began at 8:00 PM, organized by groups such as the Movement for Quality Government, October Council, Shield for Israel Forum, Paratroopers for Democracy, 555 Patriots, and other protest organizations.

Speakers at the central rally included Attorney Tomer Naor, Deputy Director of Legal and Strategy at the Movement for Quality Government; Gilad Golan, father of Lt. Col. Shay Golan who fell in combat on October 8, 2023; retired Brigadier General Amal Asaad; and Professor Yaniv Rosnai, co-director of the Rubinstein Center for Constitutional Challenges at Reichman University. The organizers condemned the coalition's last-minute passage of several controversial laws, including the Basic Law on Torah Study, immunity from arrest for draft dodgers, weakening the Attorney General's powers, and laws controlling the media. They described the deal as "draft evasion in exchange for a coup," accusing ultra-Orthodox parties of trading support for judicial and media weakening in return for exemption laws.

Gilad Golan emphasized the leadership void left by fallen soldiers like his son and criticized the government's failure to establish a state inquiry commission as mandated by law. Retired Brig. Gen. Asaad questioned the purpose of fighting for a state whose democracy and unity are being dismantled, calling the government's actions a "demolition order for the entire country." Attorney Naor highlighted the coalition's creation of two classes under the law and stressed the Movement for Quality Government's legal petitions against the new laws, seeking a reasonable democracy that respects the rule of law.

The legislative blitz included seven contentious laws pushed through committees and agreed upon in a political deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox parties. These laws cover a political inquiry commission into the October 7 massacre, gender segregation in academia, media regulation, splitting the Attorney General's roles, canceling kosher reform, the Basic Law on Torah Study, and freezing arrests of draft dodgers. The Movement for Quality Government has filed petitions with the Supreme Court against these laws, with the court already suspending the draft dodger immunity law's implementation. The protests signal a shift from legal battles to public demonstrations as the Knesset approaches elections.