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20 October 2025

Israeli Knesset Erupts Amid Protests And Global Pressure

Opposition protests, emigration surge, and an ICC arrest threat for Netanyahu highlight a day of political turmoil in Jerusalem.

The Israeli political scene was thrown into turmoil on October 20, 2025, as the Knesset’s winter session opened with chaos, fierce protests, and a string of dramatic developments that underscored the country’s deep divisions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s embattled government faced not only vocal opposition within parliament but also mounting international scrutiny and a surprising new wave of emigration, all while the shadow of the Gaza conflict loomed large.

Things got off to a rocky start inside the Knesset chambers. According to Anadolu Agency, Speaker Amir Ohana set the tone by launching a pointed attack on Israel’s judiciary, accusing the Supreme Court of undermining elected officials and threatening the very foundation of democracy. “We, the elected representatives, are not nullified; sovereignty returns to the public that went to the ballot boxes,” Ohana declared, his words sparking an uproar among opposition lawmakers.

The tension quickly escalated. Ohana refused to acknowledge Supreme Court Chief Justice Yitzhak Amit by his full title, calling him simply “judge,” a move that opposition members saw as a deliberate slight. Security was forced to intervene, removing several lawmakers from the chamber, including Gilad Kariv, as reported by Maariv. The session, intended to mark the beginning of a new legislative term, instead became a vivid display of Israel’s current political volatility.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid did not mince words, criticizing Ohana as “head of half the Knesset,” and accusing Netanyahu’s government of being “sick.” Lapid renewed his call for a formal inquiry into the October 7, 2023 attacks, a demand that continues to resonate with many Israelis still seeking answers about the government’s preparedness and response during that fateful period.

President Isaac Herzog, seeking to calm the waters, voiced his dismay at what he described as an encroachment on judicial independence. “There is a difference between legitimate debate and encroachment on other authorities and human dignity,” Herzog said, pointedly welcoming Chief Justice Amit in a gesture of support for the judiciary.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, for his part, faced repeated interruptions as he attempted to address the chamber. He acknowledged Amit’s position as Supreme Court chief but was quick to reassert his own authority as prime minister. Netanyahu also took the opportunity to defend his government’s approach to the Gaza ceasefire, insisting that delays were due to Hamas’s unwillingness to negotiate in good faith. He reiterated his commitment to recovering Israeli hostages, calling it a “sacred mission.”

The ceasefire, which took effect on October 10 under significant domestic and U.S. pressure, brought a halt to the fighting in Gaza and paved the way for a prisoner exchange. Yet, it did little to quell the criticism aimed at Netanyahu, especially from families of captives who have accused him of prolonging the conflict for political survival and to appease extremist coalition partners.

Amidst the parliamentary drama, a startling new report presented to the Knesset cast a spotlight on another growing challenge: emigration. As detailed by Haaretz, the number of Israelis leaving the country has more than doubled since 2023, coinciding with the rise of what is widely described as the most right-wing government in Israel’s history. The timing is no coincidence, observers say. For many, the combination of domestic unrest, concerns over democratic backsliding, and ongoing security threats has made life in Israel increasingly untenable.

Travelers crowding Ben Gurion Airport have become a symbol of this exodus. The report’s findings, presented on the same day as the stormy Knesset session, suggest a profound level of disillusionment among segments of the Israeli public—particularly those who feel alienated by the government’s hardline policies and the relentless cycle of conflict.

Adding to the government’s troubles, international pressure has reached a new high. In a move that sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada would honor the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Netanyahu if he were to enter Canadian territory. In an interview with Bloomberg, Carney was unequivocal: “If he enters Canada, he will be arrested in accordance with the order of the International Criminal Court.”

This declaration followed the ICC’s rejection of Israel’s appeal to suspend arrest warrants for both Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The court cited “reasonable grounds” to believe they bear responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict. Israel’s reaction was swift and furious, with officials condemning the court’s decision as “politically motivated” and lacking any legal foundation.

Several of Israel’s traditional allies have also voiced criticism of the ICC’s actions, arguing that they are biased and risk undermining diplomatic efforts in the region. Yet Carney’s stance marks a significant departure from the usual rhetoric, signaling that Israel’s leadership may find itself increasingly isolated on the world stage.

The backlash was immediate. The Abraham Global Peace Initiative (AGPI), a prominent Canadian organization advocating for Israel, penned an open letter to Carney urging him to retract his statement. AGPI president Avi Avraham Ben-Lulu argued that the Prime Minister’s words “undermine Israel’s sovereignty and misinterpret international law.” The group also questioned the ICC’s jurisdiction, pointing out that the legal status of “Palestine” remains a matter of dispute. “Supporting the court’s action would effectively legitimize a politicized judicial process rather than uphold impartial international justice,” the AGPI warned.

Back in Jerusalem, the political uncertainty is palpable. With the Knesset session underway, Israeli state media reported that Netanyahu is considering moving up general elections to June 2026, several months ahead of the previously scheduled November date. Such a move could be seen as an attempt to regain control of the narrative and secure a fresh mandate before opposition forces gain further momentum.

Meanwhile, the debate over judicial reform—which ignited massive protests in early 2023 and set the stage for much of the current unrest—shows no signs of abating. Many Israelis remain deeply divided over the role of the Supreme Court, the limits of parliamentary authority, and the very definition of democracy in the Jewish state. Each faction, from government loyalists to liberal critics, claims to be defending the nation’s core values, making compromise seem increasingly elusive.

As the winter session unfolds, Israel finds itself at a crossroads. The government’s handling of the Gaza conflict, the fate of the hostages, the specter of international prosecution, and the growing tide of emigration all point to a society grappling with existential questions. Whether the coming months will bring resolution or further upheaval remains to be seen, but for now, the Knesset’s stormy opening serves as a vivid reminder of the stakes—and the passions—at play.