Israel Passes Judicial Reform Amid Protests Transcript

Now to massive protests rocking Israel. They intensified today after lawmakers voted to take power away from the Supreme Court, a plan pushed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. CBS’s Elizabeth Palmer reports from Israel that opponents claim this move is a grave threat to democracy.

Fury erupted after the vote, and then camps. Outside Tel Aviv, a car veered into the crowd, slamming into protestors, injuring three. The people who took to the streets were devastated by parliament’s vote on judicial reform, which passed technically unopposed after the opposition walked out. That gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious political allies a clear victory, but a hollow one. Months of protests showed the majority of Israelis were against the change.

We’re angry that people are trying to change this country, trying to create a democratic backslide.

In a country with no constitution or upper legislative chamber, Israel’s Supreme Court had been a crucial check on government power. No more.

When the Supreme Court don’t have the tools to be independent, Israel won’t be a true democracy anymore.

President Biden had called the bill divisive and urged the Prime Minister to back off. Netanyahu, who’s facing corruption charges, has long been controversial, but this kind of outrage is unprecedented. More than 10,000 Israeli military reservists said they wouldn’t serve if Netanyahu’s amendment passed and the protestors say they’re not giving up.

(01:46)
Tonight, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was on television justifying what he called a necessary democratic step, but of course, his opponents aren’t buying that. They’re determined to try and appeal today’s decision and to block the next round of judicial reform that’s already in the planning stages. Major?

Elizabeth Palmer, thank you.