Eden Cohen, an Israeli graduate student at Columbia University, participated in one of the large protests during the Israeli “Judicial Coup” of 2023.
Eden, on the far left, and her friends, wearing hats that say “democracy” on the day of the protest, July 2023. Picture taken by Eden Cohen.
By Sarah Mathew
Until the summer of 2023, Eden Cohen had not considered herself an activist. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s power grab against her country’s judiciary changed everything for Eden, a former IDF soldier, flight-attendant, and now Columbia University graduate student.
“People felt that it’s the beginning of the end of Israeli democracy,” she said, looking dismayed as she remembered the fateful July day during the summer of 2023. For Eden, the day of the reforms meant the backsliding of Israeli democracy. “I have not always been involved in activism, but when this problem arose, I knew I could not be silent,” Eden said.
Eden and two of her friends got in a car in Tel Aviv that fateful July afternoon, and drove the hour across central Israel to Jerusalem. “We wanted to be in the heart of the action.” Eden said.
The judicial reform protest, or as Eden and many critical Israelis call it, “the judicial coup,” happened outside the Knesset on the day the government was set to pass the proposal. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s “reform” removed one of the few checks and balances on the Israeli executive branch, barring judges from interfering in government decisions on grounds of unreasonableness.
On the drive to Jerusalem, Eden and her friends felt a mixture of emotions. They were concerned for the future of their country’s democracy, and they were anticipating the rush of adrenaline that comes when you fight for a shared cause.“We don’t support the far-right Netanyahu government, but we were shocked that he was even proposing such a preposterous decision,” said Eden.
“We rolled the windows down and listened to very Israeli songs the whole way,” Eden said. We were very patriotic. The music fired us up and gave us motivation to protest,
“One song I remember in particular is called ‘Shalom Chaverim,’ which means ‘Goodbye, friend.’ This is what President Clinton said at Former Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin’s funeral after he had been assassinated,” Eden said. Rabin, an Israeli leader who advocated for peace with the Palestinians and stood for democracy and human rights, ultimately lost his life because of his peace efforts.
“When we got to Jerusalem, we walked a ways because we parked far away from the Knesset. We walked until we joined up with other protestors, making our way to the gates outside the Knesset,” said Eden. The July afternoon was hot and energy filled the air.
“While we were walking, people from the far-right surrounded us, and began shouting angrily at us. They said that we are crazy, and that we are protesting because we are bored,” Eden said.
The protest outside of the Knesset, July 2023. Picture taken by Eden Cohen.
After pushing their way through the crowds of angry right-wing activists, Eden and her friends stood outside the towering gates of the Knesset. White and blue flags, the Star of David shining brightly, in the middle of thousands of determined, like-minded people.
Among the other slogans about democracy, the protestors held their heads high and chanted, “‘bucha, bucha,’ which means, ‘shame, shame,’ as loud as we could,” Eden said.
While the protests were happening outside the walls, the Knesset was voting on the inside.
“There were TV screens along the walls, and as we chanted, we watched the Members of Knesset pass the first part of the ‘reforms,’” said Eden. The crowds could not believe what they were watching.
“People took it very hard,” said Eden.
As Eden, her friends, and thousands of other Israelis stood unified in their opposition, they continued to watch the screens in shock and disgust as the government voted to limit the Judiciary’s power.
“All we wanted was for the government to not pass the measures. The goal was to go back to maintaining the status quo, meaning the Supreme Court would maintain their power without interference from the government,” Eden said.
There was a platform in the middle of the crowd, and a musician began to sing as a ceremony began. Tal Ramon, a famous Israeli singer, belted out the national anthem. “The title of our national anthem means ‘the hope,’” Eden said.
In central Israel and Tel Aviv, similar protests were happening. Thousands of people came out to show their anger with the Netanyahu government.
“I think the whole reason for the ‘reforms’ was for Bibi to avoid going to trial. He doesn’t want to go to jail,” said Eden.
Though the protests stopped after October 7th, the war has not stopped the politicians. “They still try to promote their agendas under the radar. But the problem for them is that after the war, people will fight for Bibi to resign. People will protest for that,” said Eden.
Though she is currently pursuing a Master’s of International Affairs at Columbia University, which is where we met, Eden reads the news and keeps in touch with her loved ones about the current situation on the ground in Israel.
In the last month, Prime Minister Netanyahu fired Yolav Gallant, his Minister of Defense. “I read an article from last week that said after Gallant got fired, a lot of people went to the streets as well,” Eden said.
“I think now, as long as Bibi is in charge, and we’re not getting our hostages back, it’s still very important to go out to protest often. And I have a friend that goes every weekend,” said Eden.
“The Peace Wall” on the Israel and Gaza border. Picture taken by Sarah Mathew.
From the coast to Jerusalem, people across Israel are showing their desire for change. Eden said, “I think people should fight for what they think and for what they believe, in a respectful and non-violent way.”
With the protests, and then the ongoing war, the Israeli left-wing has been gravely upset with their government. Though Israel’s democratic values have been tested, citizens have hope that their democracy will one day be strong again.
“My biggest dream for Israel,” Eden said, “is for Bibi to resign. We will get a new prime minister who leads the country towards lasting peace. Now, more than ever, we need peace.”