Thousands of Israelis took to the streets in fresh protests Saturday night, following a week of unrest over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s push to pass a controversial law limiting the powers of the Supreme Court.
Protesters marched through the streets waving flags, beating drums and blaring horns in various places.
The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that tens of thousands of people demonstrated in more than 150 locations against the plan to amend the judicial system.
At the same time, thousands participated in a demonstration organized in front of the home of Israeli President Isaac Herzog in occupied Jerusalem, according to the newspaper.
The judicial amendments – the first part of which was approved by the Knesset last Monday – sparked an unprecedented crisis and caused a deep social division. The protests entered their thirtieth week.
The government’s plan was shaken by the announcement by some reservists that they would not respond to call-up orders if the amendments were approved.
Severe warnings of the plan’s economic fallout have also been issued by credit rating agencies.
constitutional confrontation
Political watch groups filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, requesting that the new law be revoked, which removes the court’s power to annul what it deems “unreasonable” decisions by the government and ministers.
The court said it would hear arguments against the law next September; Paving the way for a constitutional confrontation.
Netanyahu is trying to downplay the impact of the new law, which was approved after days of tumultuous debate in parliament, in a vote boycotted by the opposition.
Netanyahu and his government say the amendments are necessary to balance the branches of power.
On the other hand, those who reject the amendments say that Netanyahu threatens the principles of democracy and the independence of the courts in Israel, perhaps given the corruption case he faces. Netanyahu denies this, as he denies the charges against him.
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2023-07-29 23:48:00
