Jerusalem: Thousands of Israelis protested Wednesday in West Jerusalem against proposed changes to the Judicial Selection Committee, the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, and the government’s intention to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that thousands marched along Kaplan Street between the Supreme Court and the Knesset, or parliament, before reaching the square in front of government headquarters. The protest was spurred by the recent dismissal of Ronen Bar, the suspension of negotiations on a hostage deal, the recent approval of the budget, and plans to remove Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
The protest occurs amid ongoing violence in the region, with nearly 50,200 Palestinians reported killed and over 113,700 injured in military actions in the Gaza Strip since October 2023. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice related to its actions in the enclave. Opposition parties were represented in the rally, including National Unity leader and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz, along with key figures from the economic and judicial sectors.
Israel’s Channel 12 highlighted that the protest coincided with an impending Knesset vote on a bill to amend the Judicial Selection Committee’s composition. This bill aims to remove the Bar Association’s representation, increasing government appointee influence, seen as a core element of a broader judicial overhaul plan intended to diminish the judiciary’s independence.