A prominent singer intervened as protesters opposed to the government’s judicial overhaul heckled Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during a speech on Monday.
A small group of activists stood up from the crowd and chanted “democracy,” a slogan of the protest movement, at Gallant as he spoke during a festival marking 50 years since the Yom Kippur War at the Ein Gev kibbutz in northern Israel.
As Gallant attempted to speak over the activists’ chants, entertainer Yehoram Gaon took the stage to calm the waters and condemn the protesters.
“My friends, this evening we have come to draw inspiration from wonderful days, days of togetherness,” Gaon said. “What you’re doing now is a shame.”
Gaon, the event’s host, descended from the stage to applause from the audience. Gallant thanked the singer and finished his speech after the brief protest.
The festival marked the anniversary of the war under the title, “We must continue to play music,” and featured Gaon, other performers and a military band.
קריאות "דמוקרטיה" ו"בושה", הופנו הערב לעבר שר הביטחון יואב גלנט, עם עלייתו לבמה באירוע לציון 50 שנה למלחמת יום הכיפורים בפסטיבל עין גב. מנחה האירוע, יהורם גאון, אמר: "הערב הזה באנו לשאוב תעצומות נפש מהימים ההם הנפלאים של היחד הנפלא, מה שאתם עושים עכשיו, זה בושה"@ItayBlumental pic.twitter.com/Q0XQSOQrMS
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) October 2, 2023
The music included new renditions of songs composed around the time of the war.
Gaon, 83, is a Jerusalem-born singer, actor, director, producer, TV and radio host, and public figure.
In 2017 he was selected to light a ceremonial torch at the national Independence Day celebration for his “significant contribution to Jerusalem” through his songs and plays, and his voluntary work for the city’s municipality.
Gallant is a moderate in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. In March, Gallant publicly called for a halt to the judicial legislation, saying it had opened a rift in society that threatened Israel’s security. Netanyahu fired Gallant, setting off massive protests around the country, then reinstated him as defense minister.
Protesters opposed to the government’s highly contentious judicial overhaul bid, which would remove many of the High Court of Justice’s checks and balances on government power, have held sustained, large-scale demonstrations for nearly 10 months.
On Saturday, tens of thousands of people rallied nationwide against the overhaul for the 39th consecutive week.
Anti-overhaul demonstrations have also regularly targeted members of the government with protests and heckling outside their homes and throughout the country at public and private events.
Some 200 people held a protest on Monday at the Golan Heights resort village of Neve Ativ, where Netanyahu and his wife Sara were vacationing for the Sukkot holiday.
Netanyahu’s hardline coalition passed the first major piece of legislation in the overhaul in July, barring the court from striking down cabinet or ministerial decisions and appointments based on the doctrine of reasonableness.
Last month, an unprecedented panel of all 15 justices presided over a highly charged session in response to petitions against the law. A decision is not expected for weeks or months.
Legislation that gives the coalition almost complete control of the Judicial Selection Committee, and thus of appointing Israel’s judges, passed its first reading in March and could be passed at short notice at any time.
Netanyahu has said recently he plans to change the makeup of the panel but will seek a compromise on the matter.
As The Times of Israel’s political correspondent, I spend my days in the Knesset trenches, speaking with politicians and advisers to understand their plans, goals and motivations.
I'm proud of our coverage of this government's plans to overhaul the judiciary, including the political and social discontent that underpins the proposed changes and the intense public backlash against the shakeup.
Your support through The Times of Israel Community helps us continue to keep readers across the world properly informed during this tumultuous time. Have you appreciated our coverage in past months? If so, please join the ToI Community today.
~ Carrie Keller-Lynn, Political Correspondent
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel eleven years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
login
who are we?
contact us
qosheapp
Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Andrew Mitrovica
Rami G Khouri
Srecko Horvat
visit website
