Several injured by the throwing of stun grenades against protesters against judicial reform

The number of detainees during the day of protests rises to 39

Netanyahu stresses that "the right to protest is not a right to anarchy"

Around ten people were injured this Wednesday in Tel Aviv by the launching of tear gas and stun grenades by the security forces against the demonstrators who have taken to the streets to protest against the proposed reform of the judicial apparatus, which have included so far roadblocks and suspension of rail services in various parts of the country.

The Ichilov Hospital has indicated that, for the moment, it has treated eleven injured, including one who has had to undergo surgery. Israeli media have indicated that this wounded man would have lost an ear due to the explosion of a stun grenade near his head, as reported by the newspaper 'The Times of Israel'.

The protesters have shouted "shame" to the agents in the framework of the repression of the protests, in which the agents have also used water cannons to disperse those present in some of the main streets of Tel Aviv, blocked during the mobilizations .

The Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, has informed the agents that "there will be zero tolerance for anarchists", while the former Prime Minister and current opponent Yair Lapid has demanded that the Police "ignore the dangerous and irresponsible political attempts of Ben Gvir to further heat the situation".

"The protesters are Israeli patriots and Army fighters who fight for the values ​​of freedom, justice and democracy," he stressed, while emphasizing that the agents' job is "to allow them to express their opinion and fight for the country they love so much.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his "total support" for Ben Gvir and has condemned "anarchy" in the context of the protests. "We will not accept violence against the police, the blockade of roads and the flagrant violation of the laws. The right to protest is not a right to anarchy", he has settled.

The protests, which have resulted in 39 arrests so far, have been called within the framework of a 'National Day of Interruption' with the aim of getting the government, headed by Netanyahu and made up of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, to march back in his proposal, highly criticized by the opposition. Thus, a group of reservists has blocked Route 1, which connects Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, early in the morning, while groups of protesters have prevented passengers from getting on or off trains in the capital.

They have been joined by students and parents who have gathered in front of educational institutions before marching down Tel Aviv's Namir Avenue, while Defense and Intelligence Ministers Yoav Galant and Gila Gamliel, respectively, have canceled their participation in a conference for the blockade of roads in the area.

On the other hand, dozens of people have demonstrated in front of the house of the president of the Israeli Parliament, Amir Ohana, in acts that also include strikes and stoppages, according to the plan presented by the conveners, who have asserted that "Israel will not become in a dictatorship."

GANTZ ALERT OF A POSSIBLE "CIVIL WAR"

Former Defense Minister and leader of the National Unity Party, Benny Gantz, has urged Netanyahu to come to the table to "hold talks" immediately on judicial reform and has warned that the country is in a spiral that is heading towards a "civil war".

"Close Parliament right now and do not reopen it until things calm down. Stop everything and let's go to the residence of the president (Isaac Herzog) in Jerusalem," he urged before the deputies in statements with which he has insinuated that it be Herzog the one who mediates in the negotiations on the reform.

In addition, he has accused the Government and its ministers of "add more fuel to the fire" and foment violence. "The civil war is knocking on the door and the coalition is going straight towards it with its eyes closed", he stated before accusing Netanyahu of creating an environment of tension to "satisfy his needs". Netanyahu, for his part, has ensured that his door is always open to negotiations.

Ben Gvir, of the far-right Otzma Yehudit, indicated on Tuesday that he supports "democratic protests" but stressed that "he will not allow a civil rebellion or anarchists to block the main highways" of the country.

"We have to guarantee that Israeli citizens can continue with their lives. I have ordered the Police to open all the roads that are blocked," he stressed, after which the organizers asked the agents to "ignore" Ben Gvir, whom called a "schoolyard bully".

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES

Despite the protests, the parliamentary committee on the Constitution, Law and Justice approved during the day a crucial part of the reform that would limit the ability of the Supreme Court to annul laws that violate the Israeli Constitution, according to the Israeli newspaper 'Haaretz. '. Today's vote has been carried out in the midst of the opposition boycott.

In fact, several opposition MPs, including Lapid, have left the Knesset to join the protests. "We have abandoned the Knesset and we have come here because there is a fight between the Government and the people of Israel. We are on the side of the people of Israel," said the former prime minister, who stressed that "it is a fight for nature of Israeli democracy".

Herzog called last week to "make all possible efforts" to promote a dialogue between the government and the opposition around the controversial reform, before stressing that an "agreed" path is necessary to "get out of this difficult period."

Along these lines, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, expressed his concern about the reform and called for a pause, arguing that it poses a risk to the effectiveness of the judicial apparatus when it comes to defending the rule of law. Thus, he said that the proposals, if approved in their current form, would limit the ability of the Supreme Court to review legislation and would require a "super majority" or even unanimity in the body to reject proposals that could go against the Magna Carta.

The proposal, raised by Justice Minister Yariv Levin and backed by Netanyahu, would give the government full control over the appointment of judges, including those of the Supreme Court, and greatly limit the court's ability to strike down legislation that violates the law. Constitution, at the same time that it would allow Parliament to modify laws that it manages to annul with a simple majority of 61 of the 120 deputies.