Foreign Ministry tells diplomats to explain protests as an example of democracy

The Foreign Ministry on Wednesday issued instructions to its missions around the world on how to explain the societal dispute over the government’s judicial overhaul, as the legislative effort and the coalition’s unilateral approach continued to draw criticism and concern from key Israeli allies.

The ministry told representatives to say the government’s package is meant to strengthen democracy in Israel, and cite the anti-overhaul protests as an example of democracy in action.

“The Israeli government is advancing a reform, the purpose of which is to strengthen the standing of the legislative branch, based on the view that in recent years the balance between branches has shifted and the legislature has been weakened,” the talking points for diplomats said, according to Channel 13.

“The recent protests seen in Israel are an example of Israeli democracy. Compromise talks have taken place in recent months under the president,” the letter said.

Government ministers, speaking in Israel, have repeatedly derided the protesters as anti-democratic “anarchists,” and far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has consistently pushed police to forcefully disperse the demonstrations.

There are also no compromise discussions currently taking place. The coalition boycotted the vote on the first part of the legislative package, the so-called “reasonableness” law, which passed 64-0 on Monday.

Polls have shown that the judicial legislation in its current form, and the government’s efforts to steamroll it through the Knesset, are broadly unpopular with the public.

“As the prime minister has made clear, Israel must remain a strong democracy. It will continue to maintain individual rights for everyone and will not become a halachic state,” the letter said, referring to Jewish religious law. The government’s critics fear the coalition’s far-right and ultra-Orthodox elements will seek to exert control over other groups, based on their conservative, religious worldview.

“The court will remain independent, without any side seizing control,” the letter said. In addition to weakening the court system, the judicial legislative package seeks to hand control of judicial appointments to politicians.

The talking points appeared similar to arguments made recently by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the instructions included references to past statements by the premier.

On Thursday, Netanyahu downplayed the effects of the overhaul in an interview with ABC News, calling the law passed Monday a “minor correction,” and saying that fears for Israel’s democracy were “silly.” He has given a number of interviews to US media about the societal dispute, but not to Israeli outlets.

In addition to sustained massive public protests, the government’s judicial legislation has ignited dire warnings from security officials, business leaders, legal experts, and others, including foreign allies.

The US, UK and France all expressed alarm this week, and urged compromise, after the government passed into law the first part of the legislative package, setting off furious street protests and thousands of resignations among key military reservists.

The new “reasonableness” law prevents judicial oversight of government and ministerial decisions on the grounds of reasonableness. The government’s critics say removing the standard opens the door to corruption and improper appointments of unqualified cronies to important positions.

The law is part of a larger package of bills that critics say will fundamentally alter Israel’s democratic system by stripping the judiciary’s ability to act as a check on the governing coalition.