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Israel

Battle over judicial reforms continue to bring Israelis on to the streets

Second London demo in support of protests due to take place this afternoon

March 12, 2023 13:02
Israel protests
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - MARCH 11: Tens of thousands of Israelis attend a massive protest against the government's judicial overhaul plan on March 11, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Netanyahu government is pushing ahead with proposed overhaul of the judiciary that would limit the Israeli Supreme Court's ability to review and strike down laws that it deems unconstitutional. Critics say the changes will undermine judicial independence and threaten Israel's democracy. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
1 min read

Protests against the Israeli government’s planned judicial reforms which critics fear will weaken its democracy hit a new peak on Saturday night with an estimated 200,000 demonstrators in Tel Aviv alone and 50,000 in Haifa.

Israel’s governing coalition has remained determined to press ahead with proposals that would reduce the power of the judiciary and give a freer hand to politicians.

But opponents of the measures have continued to bring Israelis on to the streets with opposition leader Yair Lapid saying at one of a number of protests yesterday that the country faced its “greatest crisis”.

On Sunday afternoon, a second London rally in support of the demonstrators, which has been organised by Israeli expats, is due to take place in Parliament Square, Westminster.