Scepticism about Bibi’s ‘pause’
An emergency rally took place outside Caulfield Park to protest the judicial changes in Israel that have now been put on temporary hold.
As protesters swamped Israel’s streets and public places, an emergency rally took place outside Caulfield Park on Monday to protest the judicial changes in Israel that have now been put on temporary hold.
A day earlier, more than 200 Melbourne Jewish protesters – a new record – gathered outside the park to hear speakers voice their deep concern about the changes.
After news of PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s temporary pause on enacting the reforms, organisers stated, “The resistance abroad will persist until all anti-democratic bills are revoked, not just delayed, and Israel’s democracy is no longer under threat. There are efforts to silence us while still enacting major judicial reform. This resembles what occurred in Poland, where impressive civil resistance was silenced.”
Addressing Sunday’s rally, Progressive Judaism Victoria president Philip Bliss said, “Never before has such a wide revolt been supported by such an incredible cross-section of Israeli society. Even those on the more religious right of politics have come out waving huge Israel flags as a new sign of protest. They have together reclaimed the flag from the extreme nationalist right.”
Citing the impact of coalition partners Agudat Yisrael and Shas, Bliss said, “This is the tip of the iceberg. Women will be legislated to sit at the rear of buses, clothing will be monitored, the pluralist section of the Kotel will be removed and if Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh gets his way, education for women will be restricted. Virtually all the gains that women have achieved – and often via the Supreme Court – will be nullified.
“We must continue to protest and to fight for decency, for democracy and not least real Jewish values,” he said.
Israeli Ofra Shani, speaking for Israel Defence Forces families with fallen soldiers, told Sunday’s rally, “A large number of [soldiers] did not get to express their opinions. They remained on the battlefields, and their voices faded forever. We cannot help but involve the bereaved families, all those who feel disappointed and discouraged. What did they fight for? What did they fall for? If after a few years, these ideals have disappeared?”
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