Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets across the country on Saturday, protesting against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to overhaul the country’s judicial system. The protests, which have been ongoing for over six months, have gained new momentum in recent weeks as the government pushes forward with its contested plan. The proposed changes aim to give Netanyahu’s allies more control over the appointment of judges and the power to overturn court decisions they do not support, a move that opponents claim will destroy the country’s fragile system of checks and balances and concentrate power in the hands of the prime minister and his allies.
The protests have drawn a wide range of participants, including reserve military officers, business leaders, LGBT and other minority groups. Demonstrators voiced concerns that the plan would allow the government to pass arbitrary decisions and grant it too much power, citing the recent ouster of Tel Aviv’s police chief, Ami Eshed, who was accused of being too sympathetic to the protesters. Eshed claimed he was forced to resign due to political pressure to act violently toward protesters, a move that has drawn widespread condemnation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Via Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu/Twitter)
The plan has also been criticized for creating a conflict of interest for Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges. Critics argue that the proposed changes would allow him to use his position to further his own interests and undermine the judiciary. The protests, which have blocked roads, disrupted the country’s main airport, and thronged major cities, have become a daily fixture in Israel, with thousands of Israelis taking to the streets since January.
The government’s plans have been met with opposition from across the political spectrum, with even some members of Netanyahu’s own party voicing concerns that the overhaul would give the executive branch too much power. The move has also been criticized by international human rights groups, who argue that the proposed changes would undermine the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. With the legislature set to hold a preliminary vote on the bill as early as Monday, it remains to be seen whether the protests will have an impact on the government’s plans to push forward with the judicial overhaul.
