More or less 200 protesters rallied outside the Israeli consulate in New York City on February 21, 2023, in solidarity with demonstrators in Israel and in opposition to the government’s judicial overhaul and plans to expand West Bank settlements. The protest was organized by the Progressive Israel Network, an alliance of twelve organizations that advocate for human rights in Israel and the Palestinian territories. The group includes leading leftist Jewish groups T’ruah, J Street, Americans for Peace Now, the New Israel Fund and New York Jewish Agenda.
The Protesters’ Message and Organizers’ Objectives
The crowd spoke out against the Israeli government’s judicial overhaul, which critics say will hollow out checks and balances underpinning Israel’s democratic system of governance. They also opposed the plans to expand West Bank settlements. The protesters gathered in light rain, bearing Israeli flags and signs in English, Hebrew, and Arabic with slogans such as, “No democracy with occupation,” “Democracy for all,” and “Resisting tyrants since the pharaoh.” Organizers led the protesters in religious songs, and attendees conversed in both English and Hebrew.
Rabbi Jill Jacobs, director of T’ruah, said the demonstration sought to show the Israeli government the extent of opposition to the moves among American Jews, and also show legacy US Jewish groups that have been reluctant to speak out that there are American Jews who want more action against the coalition’s plans.
Criticism of Israeli Government’s Policies
The demonstrators repeatedly referred to the harm they believe the new government will do to Israel’s democracy, the Palestinians, and the US-Israel relationship. They decried Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right partners, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Critics believe the new government will strain ties between Israel and the Diaspora and that the main concern is “the actual human beings on the ground who are now going to be living in a state that is increasingly a theocracy that’s moving toward fascism,” according to Rabbi Jacobs.
Supporters of the judicial overhaul and the West Bank settlements expansion argue that these moves will place needed curbs on untrammeled judicial powers and offer security to the Israeli people.
The NY Rally as Display of Opposition to Judicial Overhaul
The rally in New York is the latest display of opposition to the Israeli government’s policies regarding the judicial overhaul and West Bank settlements expansion. The organizers seek to show the Israeli government the extent of opposition among American Jews and legacy US Jewish groups. They believe that the new government will harm Israel’s democracy, the Palestinians, and the US-Israel relationship. On the other hand, supporters argue that these moves will provide security to the Israeli people and curb the judicial powers.
