Israelis protest against the government’s plan to overhaul the country’s legal system, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, January 14, 2023. The new government announced its plan this month, proposing proposed changes that critics say would weaken the country’s justice system and jeopardize its democratic system of checks and balances.
Oded Bailty/AP
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Oded Bailty/AP
Israelis protest against the government’s plan to overhaul the country’s legal system, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, January 14, 2023. The new government announced its plan this month, proposing proposed changes that critics say would weaken the country’s justice system and jeopardize its democratic system of checks and balances.
Oded Bailty/AP
TEL AVIV, Israel — Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in downtown Tel Aviv on Saturday night to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government plan to overhaul the legal system and weaken the Supreme Court. high — a step that critics say would destroy the country’s democratic system of checks and balances.
The protest soon presented a challenge to Mr Netanyahu and his ultra-nationalist national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who ordered police to take tough action if the protesters Protesters block roads or fly Palestinian flags.
Israeli media quoted police as saying the crowd at Habima Square in Tel Aviv had reached at least 80,000 people, despite the cool and rainy weather. The protesters, many with umbrellas, held Israeli flags and placards reading “Criminal government”, “The end of democracy” and other slogans.
“They’re trying to destroy the checks and balances of Israeli democracy. This won’t work,” said Asaf Steinberg, a protester from the Tel Aviv suburb of Herzliya. “And we will fight to the last minute to save Israeli democracy.”
No major unrest was reported, although Israeli media reported a small crowd scuffled with police as they tried to block the Tel Aviv highway.
Mr. Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, has made overhauling the country’s legal system central to his agenda.
Just over two weeks into office, his government, made up of far-right nationalist and Orthodox parties, has introduced proposals to weaken the Supreme Court by giving parliament the power to overturn court decisions with a simple majority vote. It also wants to give parliament control over the appointment of judges and reduce the independence of legal advisers.
Netanyahu’s justice minister says unelected judges have too much power. But opponents of the plan say the proposed changes would rob the judiciary of independence and undermine Israel’s democracy. Israeli opposition leaders, the former justice minister and the president of Israel’s Supreme Court have all voiced opposition to the plan.
The legal changes could help Mr. Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, evade conviction or even make his trial disappear altogether. Since his indictment in 2019, Mr. Netanyahu has said that the justice system is biased against him.
Police increased their presence ahead of the march. Israeli media quoted police as saying officers had been instructed to be “very sensitive” and allow the protest to proceed peacefully. But they also vowed to take a firm response to any vandalism or violence.
Smaller protests also took place in the cities of Jerusalem and Haifa.
