Since the introduction and proposition of the laws, protests have been occurring across Israel. They have now reached more than 28 weeks with 100s of 1000s gathering in the streets.
Here is a timeline of the events of the last 28+ weeks.
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4th January 2023 |
Yariv Levin (Justice Minister, Likud) announces his plans to reform the judiciary in the Knesset |
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| 7th January 2023 |
First week of protests start in HaBima Square, Tel Aviv. Around 20,000 attend |
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| 14th January 2023 |
A second protest takes place in HaBima Square. 80,000 now attend |
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| 14 Jan - 11 Feb 2023 |
Protests continue each week on Saturday nights after Shabbat. Up to 150,000 now gather in Kaplan street, Tel Aviv |
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| 8th February 2023 |
Simcha Rothman (Chair of the Knesset's Constitution, Law, and Justice committee, Likud) announces that the committee will be voting to refer reform laws to the Knesset as a whole |
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| 13th February 2023 |
The Constitution, Law and Justice Committee votes on referring the reforms to the wider Knesset. 100,000 protest, with major industries going on strike. The committee votes 9-7 in favour of moving the reforms to a legislative vote |
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| 1st March 2023 |
Organisers of the weekly protests designate the 1st of March as a 'national day of disruption' which included attempts to block the Ayalon (the main highway through Tel Aviv) |
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| 5th March 2023 |
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| 9th March 2023 |
Protest organisers call a 'National Day of Resistance' and successfully block the Ayalon, as well as convoys of cars blocking the route to Ben Gurion Airport - delaying the Prime Minister's travel to Rome |
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| 11th March 2023 |
Up to 240,000 are now attending the weekly protests |
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| 25th March 2023 |
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| 26th March 2023 |
Note: Gallant never left his position and is still currently Defence Minister (24/7/23) |
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| 27th March 2023 |
Netanyahu then announces that the legislation will be paused for a month in order to minimise social division ahead of the Pesach holidays. While Itamar Ben-Gvir (National Security Minister, Otzma Yehudit) threatened to leave the government if any halt was announced, he stays in government appeased with the power to now form a 'National Guard' Protests still continue for the next month. Right Wing Protestors demonstrate in Jerusalem demanding the government not fold on the reforms following the announcement of the pause. |
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| April and May 2023 |
Thousands continue to attend protests against the reforms despite the pause |
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| 3rd April 2023 |
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| 27th April 2023 |
200,000 supporters gather outside the Knesset to demonstrate in favour. Speakers at the event include Yariv Levin and Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Bezalel Smotrich. |
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| 26th June 2023 |
The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice committee announces its plan to advance a singular part of the reforms - the removal of the 'reasonableness standard' - to a legislative vote. This would remove the power of the supreme court to hault the actions of a Government that it deems 'unreasonable' |
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| 5th July 2023 |
Amichai Eshed, Chief of Police in Tel Aviv, resigns following reports Ben-Gvir will fire him for not being foreceful enough against anti-government protestors. |
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| 11th July 2023 |
Following the first reading of the law to remove the 'reasonableness standard' mass protests erupt blocking major highways and Ben Gurion Airport |
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| 18th July 2023 |
Protest organisers announce their intention to march from Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv (the centre of the weekly protests) to the Knesset ahead of the legislation's final reading. Tens of Thousands take part in the march to Jerusalem |
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| 24th July 2023 |
The law to remove the 'reasonableness standard' is passed in its final reading 64-0. Opposition MKs boycotted the final vote. Demonstrations appear across Israel blocking the Ayalon, and major junctions. |
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