Thousands demonstrated in Tel Aviv against the Netanyahu government's judicial reform
Thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv for the ninth week in a row on Saturday evening to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial and undemocratic judicial reform.
The right-wing and far-right coalition set up in December by Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to pass a law that would give the government greater influence over the selection of judges and limit the powers of the Supreme Court, prompting massive demonstrations since the text was announced in early January.
"Democracy, democracy!" or "shame!" chanted demonstrators in central Tel Aviv. Protests are also taking place in other Israeli cities. On Wednesday, clashes took place in Tel Aviv between protesters and police, who used water cannons and grenades to disperse crowds. Eleven injured protesters were treated at Tel Aviv's Ichilov Hospital, a hospital spokesman told AFP.
Critics say the text, which aims to reduce the influence of the judiciary in favour of political power, threatens the democratic character of the State of Israel. But Benjamin Netanyahu and his justice minister, Yariv Levin, believe it is necessary to restore a balance of power between elected officials and the supreme court, which the prime minister and his allies see as politicised.
Two key provisions of the reform - the first modifying the process for appointing judges and the second aimed at preventing the Supreme Court from invalidating any new fundamental law passed by parliament - have already been adopted by deputies at first reading.
A further hotly contested provision of the reform, the introduction of an "annulment" clause allowing parliament to overturn certain Supreme Court decisions by a simple majority, is due to be voted on in first reading at a later date. The demonstrations, which generally denounce government policy, do not appear to be influencing the resolve of Benjamin Netanyahu and his majority for the time being.
Opposition, including its centrist leader Yair Lapid, has repeatedly accused Benjamin Netanyahu of wanting to serve his own interests with this reform. Critics of Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been on trial for corruption in several cases, believe that if the reform is adopted, he could use it to violate a possible ruling that would convict him.
