Published: 20 March 2020
Last updated: 4 March 2024
Netanyahu’s coronavirus strategy erodes Israel’s democracy (Al-Monitor)
BEN CASPIT: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu exploits the coronavirus panic to erode Israel’s democracy, limit the Knesset, introduce emergency-mode regulations, and prevent Blue and White from implementing the majority garnered by the opposition bloc.
For the first time ever, Israeli democracy has been shut down (Haaretz)
ANSHEL PFEFFER: By next Monday, Israel may well be under total shutdown due to the coronavirus, led by a government that was inaugurated five years and four elections ago
Israeli president to speaker, a Likud MK: Reopen Knesset, don’t damage democracy (Times of Israel)
Rivlin tells Edelstein he can’t let health crisis ‘harm our democratic system,’ after lawmaker from Netanyahu’s party shuts down parliament; Blue and White to petition High Court
Knesset legal adviser says speaker can’t force parliament closed (Times of Israel)
In blow to Yuli Edelstein’s closure of the plenary, parliament’s top lawyer says issue will be put to a vote, which the Likud will likely lose
Netanyahu’s coronavirus coup: Israelis’ basic rights are now on life support (Haaretz)
EVA BLUM-DUMONTET: By imitating China and Iran, Netanyahu has put Israel’s democratic values in quarantine. He is creating a climate of fear – not of the coronavirus, but of the government
Likud, Blue and White set Monday deadline for coalition deal (Jerusalem Post)
Blue and White demands defence, foreign ministries
Gantz bloc seeks legislation aimed at making Netanyahu irrelevant (Haaretz)
If the Knesset votes to replace incumbent Knesset speaker, Gantz's Kahol Lavan party intends to swiftly draw up two bills of dramatic significance, the combination of which would tie Netanyahu's hands in the next election
Photo: A nearly empty plenum for the swearing-in of the 23rd Knesset on March 16. At left is Benny Gantz. Centre, with back to camera, is Benjamin Netanyahu (Gideon Sharon/Knesset spokesperson)
