Tens of thousands protest Israeli government’s proposed legal system changes

Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in central Tel Aviv on Friday night to protest plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government to overhaul the legal system and weaken the Supreme Court – a move that critics say will destroy the country’s democratic system of checks and balances.

The protests presented an early challenge to Netanyahu and his ultranationalist national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who ordered police to crack down if protesters blocked roads or displayed Palestinian flags.

Israeli media, citing police, said the crowd at Tel Aviv’s Habima Square had grown to 80,000 people by 9 p.m., despite the rainy weather.

The protesters, many covered with umbrellas, held Israeli flags and signs saying “Criminal Government,” “End of Democracy” and other slogans. There were no immediate reports of unrest.

Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges, has made overhauling the country’s legal system central to his agenda.

In office for more than two weeks, his government has launched a proposal to undermine 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.

Change undermines democracy: critics

Justice Minister Netanyahu said unelected judges have great power. But opponents of the plan say the proposed changes will undermine Israeli democracy. Israel’s opposition leader, a former attorney general and the president of Israel’s Supreme Court have all spoken out against the plan.

The legal changes could help Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, avoid conviction, or even make his trial disappear. Since his indictment in 2019, Netanyahu has said the justice system is biased against him.

Police increased their presence ahead of the march. Israeli media quoted police as saying that officers had been ordered to be “extremely sensitive” and allow the protests to proceed peacefully.

But he also vowed a tough response to vandalism or violent behavior.

Smaller protests were also held in the cities of Jerusalem and Haifa.