Israeli women form human chains to protest planned judicial overhaul | Inquirer News

Israeli women form human chains to protest planned judicial overhaul

/ 09:05 AM March 09, 2023

Israeli women form human chains to protest planned judicial overhaul

Women dressed in red take part in a demonstration against the Israeli government’s judicial overhaul and to mark International Women’s Day, on a beachfront in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 8, 2023. REUTERS/Ilan ROsenberg

JERUSALEM — To mark International Women’s Day, thousands of Israeli women formed human chains on Wednesday to protest the right-wing Israeli government’s planned judicial overhaul that would drastically limit the powers of the courts.

Several sectors of Israeli society have joined in weekly protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to limit the Supreme Court’s ability to rule against the legislature and the executive, while giving lawmakers decisive powers in appointing judges.

Article continues after this advertisement

The women’s group joined the ongoing protests dressed clad in red, lining the popular Tel Aviv beach-front promenade, clapping and chanting “democracy.” Demonstrators at previous women’s protests have dressed in red cloaks and white bonnets, mimicking the popular Handmaid’s Tale television show and novel which depicts a dystopian reality whereby a brutal ultra-religious regime have stripped women of their rights.

“It’s supposed to be a happy day that we celebrate our rights but now we need to protest again,” protestor Moran Katzenstein told Reuters at a demonstration in Jerusalem. “We all wear red and we show that we are drawing a red line and we will not allow this government to harm our rights.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Waving signs that read “harming women’s rights, not on our shift” and “women’s struggle,” protesters demonstrated against the legislation, which Netanyahu proposed with his right-wing and religious allies last month.

Article continues after this advertisement

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday said a compromise in the government’s judicial overhaul plan could be imminent, but opposition leader Benny Gantz told Reuters at the women’s demonstration in Tel Aviv that they would not negotiate until the legislation is halted.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Agreements can be reached, compromise on democracy we cannot reached,” Gantz said.

Women clad in red lined the popular Tel Aviv beach-front promenade, clapping and chanting “democracy.”

Article continues after this advertisement

“We feel that every step of this reform is going to hurt women and take women’s rights back,” said Adi Agasi-Shafir in Tel Aviv.

“We are going to be deprived of all the rights and achievements that we managed to get so far, it’s really dangerous and we’re not willing to accept that,” Agasi-Shafir said.

RELATED STORIES:

International Women’s Day: date, history and this year’s theme

International Women’s Day: A call to action

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Democracy, international women's day, Israel, world news

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.