150 large Israeli companies strike ahead of Monday's Knesset vote
A consortium of some 150 large Israeli businesses announced on Sunday that it would strike on Monday to protest the scheduled Knesset vote on the Reasonableness Standard Bill.
The group consists of businesses that represent a wide spectrum in the Israeli economy, including high-tech companies, the BIG shopping centers chain, the Azrieli Group mall chain, major banks and gas stations. The tech companies taking part in the strike include Papaya Global, Wiz, Lemonade and Wix.
Masses of judicial reform opponents formed a large human chain on Sunday stretching from the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City to the Israeli Parliament building.
Should the Netanyahu government succeed in passing the Reasonableness bill on Monday, it would effectively prevent the judiciary from reviewing the government’s decisions. Since Israel lacks a formal constitution, the courts function as the only checks and balances on government decisions.
The business consortium stressed that a broad national consensus on the controversial judicial reform is critical for Israel’s national security.
“We must reach agreements that will prevent dramatic damage to the economy and the rift that is tearing apart society, disbanding the people’s army and endangering the security and future of us all," read a statement from the consortium.
"The forum calls on the prime minister to fulfill his duty, understand the scale of the disaster that may occur, and immediately stop the legislation and enter into negotiation."
Israel Police used water cannons on Monday to disperse thousands of protesters outside of the Knesset in Jerusalem. At least six individuals have been arrested after blocking the roads and ignoring police instructions.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who returned from his official state visit to the United States, urged both the coalition and opposition to find a compromise to the judicial reform crisis.
Herzog rushed to the hospital for an emergency meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon his arrival in a final effort to achieve a compromise between the coalition and opposition.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
