Netanyahu’s political career doomed, protests will paralyze regime: Analyst

By Ali Ghorban Bagheri

Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right regime in Tel Aviv and his political career are doomed as protests rage on against his so-called “judicial overhaul”, says a Palestinian expert.

Jomee Al-Tayeh, an expert on Israeli affairs, made these remarks in an interview with the Press TV website after the Israeli parliament ratified a controversial clause that limits the power of the regime’s apex court and gives a greater free hand to the far-right cabinet.

The occupied territories have been rocked by unprecedented anti-regime protests in recent months, with hundreds of Israeli army reservists also joining the angry protesters.

The irate protesters have even seized the airport and blocked major highways.

“Protesters will continue street demonstrations and more people will join them. We can also expect thousands of Israeli forces to suspend their duties, and this will make these protests more serious and produce political and social ramifications,” the analyst said, adding that he believes the regime will be “completely paralyzed” by the raging protests.

On Netanyahu’s political future, Al-Tayeh said it is doomed if the premier keeps insisting on implementing the so-called “judicial overhaul” or even if backs down in the face of public anger.

“I believe that the regime’s crisis will continue to exist and get worse. Political differences are now more than ever. So this infighting will continue unless there is a compromise that everybody accepts,” he asserted.

Asked to comment on Netanyahu’s failing health and reports that he might be unable to proceed with his controversial plan, Al-Tayeh said the ailment has not held him back.

“If his illness had worsened and he needed to remain at the hospital, things could change for him. But his swift return to meetings shows his illness is not serious and can’t affect his decisions.”

Earlier this month, the 73-year-old Israeli regime premier was taken to hospital after feeling dizzy. It was followed by an emergency heart procedure weeks later, which came after months-long protests.

Meanwhile, opinion polls held following the ratification of the plan show Netanyahu’s popularity has taken a hit.

According to Reuters, surveys by two main Israeli news broadcasters showed that if an election was held now, the number of seats held by his hard-right coalition in the 120-seat Knesset would fall from 64 to 52.