Thousands of Israelis protest in Tel Aviv against the judicial reform
Tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv and other cities on Saturday (15) against the controversial judicial reform law, which its critics see as a law that could push the country towards an authoritarian model.
Tens of thousands of people have gathered for demonstrations since January, when the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the project.
Overall, Netanyahu’s proposal is:
- puts the election of the judges of the Supreme Court in the hands of the Israeli Parliament;
- proposes that the decisions of the judiciary can override the decisions of the ultraconservative parliament.
1 of 2 Demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government’s judicial reforms in Tel Aviv, this Saturday (15). Photo: Portal/Oren Alon Demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government’s judicial reforms in Tel Aviv, this Saturday (15). — Photo: Portal/Oren Alon
The government argues that the reform, aimed at increasing the powers of Parliament over that of the Supreme Court, is necessary to ensure a better balance of power.
The new demonstrations come just days after Parliament voted on a key measure of the text.
Two out of two Israelis are protesting in Tel Aviv this Saturday, July 15, 2023, against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to reform the country’s judicial system. — Photo: AP Foto/Ariel Shali Israelis are protesting in Tel Aviv this Saturday, July 15, 2023 against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to reform the country’s judicial system. — Photo: AP Photo/Ariel Shali
The clause, passed on Tuesday, aims to deprive the judiciary of the ability to comment on the “reasonableness” of the government’s decisions.
Netanyahu’s government, formed in December with support from farright parties and ultraOrthodox Jewish groups, is one of the most conservative in Israel’s history.
“It’s a fight for the country. We want Israel to remain democratic and not pass dictatorial laws,” Nili Elezra, a 54yearold protester, told AFP.