Thousands Flock Israel Streets After PM Netanyahu's Renwed Push To Overhaul Justice System

Thousands of protesters marched to the streets of Tel Aviv after Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu gave a fresh push for his proposed judicial reform.

Protesters in Tel Aviv against Israel PM's proposed judicial reform.

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Tens of thousands flocked to streets in Tel Aviv against a renewed push by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to overhaul the justice system, The Guardian reported. The protest drew crowds far larger than recent agitations, N12 News and Channel 13 reported, as quoted by The Guardian. Nationwide demonstrations began in January when the Netanyahu-led government announced a plan to overhaul the judiciary. He proposed a legislation package that would roll back some supreme court powers and give the government decisive sway in picking judges, the report added. 

Notably, the protests subsided a little in late March when Netanyahu suspended the plan to hold compromise talks with opposition parties meant to reach a broad agreement over justice reforms following the massive outrage. In a statement, Netanyahu announced that he would defer the plans until after the Passover holiday and Independence Day when parliament is set to reconvene. He stressed the need for all parties to act responsibly in addressing the crisis.

However, last month, Netanyahu relaunched his government’s will to rein in what it sees as an overreaching, left-leaning and elitist supreme court. The Guardian reported that he said the new proposals are more moderate. 

Now, the Parliament is expected next week to hold the first of three votes on the first new bill. The new proposal reportedly limits some of the supreme court’s power to rule against decisions by the government, ministers and elected officials. 

As per The Guardian, the opposition called the move a dangerous step towards curbing judicial independence that would eventually subject the supreme court to politicians’ will and open the door to corruption. 

 Meanwhile, protest leaders said they plan to step up demonstrations next week. “We have no choice, we have to defend our democracy,” said Sigal Peled-Leviatan, 51, a tech worker demonstrating in Tel Aviv, as quoted by The Guardian. 

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