VOA新闻杂志2023 以色列人抗议总理试图改革司法制度（在线收听）

In Israel, thousands of protesters demonstrated Sunday and Monday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to make changes to the nation's top court.

以色列数万名抗议者周一和周日发起示威，反对总理内塔尼亚胡计划对全国高等法院进行改革。

People walked the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, waving white and blue Israeli flags. Many workers did not go to their jobs on Monday and Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv suspended outgoing flights.

人们走上特拉维夫和耶路撒冷的街头，挥舞着蓝白的以色列国旗。许多工人周一没去上班，特拉维夫附近的本·古里安机场暂停了离港航班。

The leader of Israel's largest worker's group is Arnon Bar-David. "Bring back the country's sanity," he said.

以色列最大工会组织的领导人是阿农·巴-戴维德。他说：“（我们要）恢复以色列的理智。”

Netanyahu's conservative coalition government says Israel's Supreme Court has too much power. The changes would permit leaders in parliament, known as the Knesset, to appoint judges and also restrict the court's ability to rule against the government. The plan would give lawmakers greater power in appointing new judges.

内塔尼亚胡领导的保守联盟政府表示，以色列最高法院权力太大。改革将会允许以色列议会领导人任命法官，并限制法院做出对政府不利裁定的能力。该计划会使议员在任命新法官方面具有更大权力。

Those in the conservative government say the court is often putting the rights of minorities ahead of the nation's interests.

保守党政府人士表示，法院经常将少数派的利益置于国家利益之上。

The current rule in Israel requires agreement on new judges from a group that includes politicians and judges. The new plan would permit government leaders to name the judges.

以色列当前政策要求包括政客和法官在内的团体对任命新法官达成一致。新计划将允许政府领导人任命法官。

Netanyahu said the plan would balance the court. Critics, however, say he wants his government to be able to change the group of judges because he is facing an ongoing legal case. Netanyahu is barred from involvement in the planned changes.

内塔尼亚胡表示，该计划将会平衡法院。然而，批评家表示，内塔尼亚胡希望他的政府能够改变法官群体，因为他面临持续的法律诉讼。内塔尼亚胡被禁止参与计划的改革。

One member of the government, Yoav Gallant, was dismissed as defense minister for opposing the plan. Some Israelis worried about the country's armed forces without the top government leader.

政府成员约亚夫·加兰特因为反对该计划被解除国防部长职位。一些以色列人担心国家的武装力量缺乏政府高层领导人领导。

Netanyahu was supposed to make a television appearance on Monday announcing the changes, but it was postponed. He made a statement on Twitter, asking protesters "to behave responsibly and to not act violently. We are brotherly people," he said.

内塔尼亚胡本应在周一的电话讲话中宣布改革，但是业已推迟。他在推特上发表了一份声明，要求抗议者“行事负责，不要暴力。我们都是兄弟。”

It is not clear when the Prime Minister will push again for the changes, some think it might be after parliament returns on April 30 after the Jewish Passover holiday.

目前尚不清楚内塔尼亚胡何时会再次推动改革，有人认为可能会在议会4月30日过完犹太逾越节假期返回之后。

The Israeli president is Isaac Herzog. In Israel, that position does not have much power. However, Herzog said: "For the sake of the unity of the people of Israel, I call on you to stop the legislative process immediately."

以色列总统是艾萨克·赫尔佐格。该职位在以色列没有太大权力。但是，赫尔佐格表示：“为了以色列人民的团结，我呼吁你们立即停止立法程序。”

Why are Israelis concerned?

以色列人为何担忧？

Israel does not have a strong system of "checks and balances" where the parliament and the judiciary have different and balanced powers. In fact, Israel does not have a written constitution, only "basic laws."

以色列不具备强大的“制衡”制度，在制衡制度下，议会和司法机构具有不同和平衡的权力。实际上，以色列没有成文宪法，只有“基本法律”。

Critics say the ruling Likud party, led by Netanyahu, would become too strong if the changes are enacted.

批评家表示，由内塔尼亚胡领导的执政党利库德党如果制定改革，将会变得过于强大。

Matityahu Sperber, who is 68, was walking to a protest outside the Knesset. Sperber told the Associated Press: "This is the last chance to stop this move into a dictatorship. I'm here to fight to the end."

现年68岁的马蒂亚胡·斯波伯在以色列议会外进行抗议。斯波伯对美联社表示：“这是阻止此举进入独裁统治的最后机会。我将会在这里战斗到最后。”