Israel's judicial overhaul delayed after mass protests and strikes

By Helen Regan, Adam Renton, Rob Picheta, Ed Upright, Aditi Sangal, Ivana Kottasová and Jack Guy, CNN

Updated 5:57 p.m. ET, March 27, 2023
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4:21 p.m. ET, March 27, 2023

Netanyahu delays judicial overhaul: Here are latest developments that followed widespread protests

From CNN staff

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that a package of controversial judicial reforms would be delayed, a move that was welcomed by the US and UK.

Israel's largest labor union called off a general strike following Netanyahu's announcement – but warned it would take further action if the reforms were revived.

Netanyahu's package had triggered months of sustained protests that rocked the country. The crisis deepened Sunday when his office announced the firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant after he became the first cabinet member to call for a pause to the controversial plans.

Here are the latest headlines:

  • Netanyahu delays changes: Netanyahu announced that he will delay the package of controversial legislation, saying that he is "aware of the tensions" and is "listening to the people." He said he would delay the second and third votes on the remaining legislation until after the Knesset’s Passover recess in April “to give time for a real chance for a real debate," but insisted that the overhaul was necessary.
  • General strike called off: The leader of the Histadrut labor union called for an end to general strike following Netanyahu's announcement. “The general strike stops from this moment,” Arnon Bar-David announced. But, he warned: “If the prime minister returns to aggressive legislation, he’ll find us facing him. Legislation without consent will be met with a general strike.”
  • US welcomes move: The White House says it welcomes the delay. “We welcome this announcement as an opportunity to create additional time and space for compromise. A compromise is precisely what we have been calling for,” said press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
  • UK hails Netanyahu decision: The UK “welcomes the decision today by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pause legislation to reform Israel’s judiciary," said Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. "It is vital that the shared democratic values that underpin that relationship are upheld, and a robust system of checks and balances are preserved,” he added.
  • Embassy reopens: The Israeli embassy in Washington is re-opening today after a closure due to embassy staff striking under instruction from Histadrut. The “strike is over and the embassy is reopened,” embassy spokesperson Elad Strohmayer told CNN.
3:19 p.m. ET, March 27, 2023

2:55 p.m. ET, March 27, 2023

Israeli embassy in Washington reopening after strike ends following Netanyahu's announcement

From CNN's Kylie Atwood and Alex Marquardt

The Israeli embassy in Washington is re-opening today after a closure due to embassy staff striking under instruction from Histadrut, Israel's largest labor union.

The “strike is over and the embassy is reopened,” embassy spokesperson Elad Strohmayer told CNN.

Earlier Monday the leader of the union called for an end to a general strike following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement that a planned judicial overhaul would be paused.

“The general strike stops from this moment,” Arnon Bar-David announced moments after Netanyahu’s speech.

But, he warned: “If the prime minister returns to aggressive legislation, he’ll find us facing him. Legislation without consent will be met with a general strike.”

2:53 p.m. ET, March 27, 2023

US welcomes delay in Israel's judicial reform efforts

From CNN's Kevin Liptak

U.S. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks at the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, on Monday, March 27.
U.S. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks at the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, on Monday, March 27. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

The White House says it welcomes a delay in advancing Israel's controversial judicial reforms, which have concerned President Joe Biden and US officials.

“We welcome this announcement as an opportunity to create additional time and space for compromise. A compromise is precisely what we have been calling for,” said press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

The US continues to urge Israeli leaders to find a compromise as soon as possible, she said.

“Democratic societies are strengthened by checks and balances, and fundamental changes to a democratic system should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support,” Jean-Pierre added.

The US State Department also praised the delay.

Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel also said that he had “no different assessment to offer" when asked by CNN’s Kylie Atwood if the US was still confident in Netanyahu’s leadership of Israel.

CNN's Michael Conte and Christian Sierra contributed to this report.

2:21 p.m. ET, March 27, 2023

UK welcomes Israel's decision to pause judicial overhaul legislation

From CNN's Jessie Gretener in London

The UK “welcomes the decision today by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pause legislation to reform Israel’s judiciary," said Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

“The UK enjoys a deep and historic relationship with Israel," Cleverly said in a statement.

"As the Prime Minister stressed in his meeting with PM Netanyahu last week, it is vital that the shared democratic values that underpin that relationship are upheld, and a robust system of checks and balances are preserved,” he added.
“We urge all parties to find common ground and seek a long-term compromise to this sensitive issue,” said Cleverly.
1:41 p.m. ET, March 27, 2023

Israel labor union leader calls for an end to general strike

From CNN’s Amir Tal in Jerusalem

The leader of the Histadrut labor union called for an end to general strike in Israel following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement that a planned judicial overhaul would be paused.

“The general strike stops from this moment,” Arnon Bar-David announced moments after Netanyahu’s speech.

But, he warned: “If the prime minister returns to aggressive legislation, he’ll find us facing him. Legislation with out consent will be met with a general strike.”

Bar-David was speaking on CNN affiliate Channel 13 in Israel.

2:21 p.m. ET, March 27, 2023

Netanyahu not backing down over "need for reform"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, on March 27.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, on March 27. (Abir Sultan/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he would delay crucial votes on judicial reform, he did not back down from insisting the overhaul was necessary.

Netanyahu said he would delay the second and third votes on the remaining legislation until after the Knesset’s Passover recess in April “to give time for a real chance for a real debate.”

But he insisted that the overhaul was necessary, and reiterated criticism of refusal to train or serve in the military in protest at the planned changes.

1:26 p.m. ET, March 27, 2023

Netanyahu announces delay to judicial reform

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks on March 27.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks on March 27. (Israeli Government Press Office)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is "aware of the tensions" and is "listening to the people."

Referring to the refusal of some Israel Defense Forces reservists to train in protest at the government plans to overhaul the judiciary, Netanyahu said:

The state of Israel cannot continue with people who refuse to serve in the army. Refusing, it’s the end of our country."

"Out of the responsibility to the nation, I decided to delay ... the vote, in order to give time for discussion," he added.

1:13 p.m. ET, March 27, 2023

Netanyahu addresses the nation

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is addressing the nation following a day of widespread strikes and protests.