‘No To Judicial Overhaul’ – Israelis Take To Streets Again

Web Desk — Calling the hard-right government’s judicial reforms a threat to democracy, thousands of Israelis on Saturday demonstrated in Tel Aviv and other cities.

Unveiled in January by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition including extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, the controversial package has split the nation and triggered one of the biggest protest movements in Israel’s history.

The demonstrators have kept up pressure on the Netanyahu government with weekly demonstrations across the country.

According to Israeli media, several thousand protesters gathered on Saturday in the commercial hub of Tel Aviv. Some were chanting democracy, and democracy, and waving Israeli flags.

The judicial reforms would give politicians more power over courts and in the government’s opinion it is necessary to curb overreach by unelected judges.

Those who are protesting against the bill fear it may lead to a more authoritarian government. Israeli parliament passed the first key amendment of the reform bill last month which confines judicial powers to oversee some government decisions.

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Netanyahu, who is willing to negotiate with the opposition for reconciliation, is facing corruption charges in the court. Netanyahu’s previous efforts for mediation have failed so far.

The legislation, in any case, will not move forward before Parliament returns from summer break in October