thousands of Israelis gathered tel aviv on Saturday night to oppose the plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s The new government will introduce radical changes to the judicial system, measures that opponents say threaten the country’s democratic core principles.
Israeli media, citing police, said that around 100,000 people were protesting.
The protest followed another demonstration last week that drew thousands in an early challenge to Netanyahu and his ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox government – the most right-wing in Israel’s history.
Protests have begun in Israel against the policies of the new government
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The government says the power imbalance has left judges and government legal advisers with too much power over lawmaking and governance. Netanyahu has vowed to go ahead with the changes despite opposition.
Protesters filled central streets in the seaside metropolis, waving Israeli flags and banners that read “Our children will not live under a dictatorship” and “Israel, we have a problem”.
“This is a protest to defend the country,” said opposition leader and former prime minister Yair Lapid, who joined the protest. “The people have come here today to defend their democracy.”
“All generations are concerned. This is no joke,” said a protester Leo student. “This is a complete reinterpretation of democracy.”
Other protests took place in the cities of Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheba.
In addition to the protests, pressure on Netanyahu’s government mounted when the country’s attorney general asked Netanyahu to fire a key cabinet aide following a Supreme Court ruling that barred him from holding government office due to convictions for tax crimes. was disqualified from
While Netanyahu was expected to heed the court ruling, it deepened rifts in the country over the judicial system and the power of the courts.
Earlier this week, Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, vowed to press ahead with judicial reform plans despite opposition. Opponents say the changes could help Netanyahu avoid a conviction in his corruption trial, or miss the court case altogether.
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One protester said they thought the judicial changes were meant to protect Netanyahu. “The aim is to save one person and one only – it is Mr. Netanyahu, from his trial, and that is why I am here.”
Netanyahu’s coalition was put to a new test on Friday after a disagreement between cabinet members over dismantling an unauthorized settlement outpost in the West Bank.
Defense Minister Yoav Galant, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, ordered the removal of the outpost, upsetting a pro-conflict cabinet member who issued a directive to suspend the evictions pending further discussions.
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