YERUSHALAYIM —
Tens of 1000’s demonstrated in three cities on Motzoei Shabbos towards Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s judicial reform plans, with organizers accusing him of undermining democratic rule weeks after his re-election.
Netanyahu needs to rein within the Excessive Court docket in what he has described as a restoration of the steadiness of the three branches of presidency.
Amongst these opposed are the Supreme Court docket chief justice and the nation’s attorney-general.
After President Yitzchak Herzog appealed to polarized politicians to “decrease the temperatures” of the debates, organizers of the demonstrations – held below chilly winter rain – sought to strike a word of nationwide unity.
“Take an Israeli flag in a single hand, an umbrella within the different, and are available out to guard democracy and regulation within the State of Israel,” mentioned former Protection Minister Benny Gantz, who attended the Tel Aviv rally.
Israeli media put the quantity in attendance on the Tel Aviv rally at 80,000, with 1000’s extra at protests in Yerushalayim and Haifa.
Social media footage confirmed various Palestinian flags on show, in defiance of Nationwide Safety Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir who informed Kan Information that he wished such flags eliminated however was awaiting the opinion of the attorney-general earlier than ordering any crackdown by police.
Polls have diverged on public views of the reforms. Channel 13 final week discovered 53% of Israelis had been against altering the court docket appointments’ construction whereas 35% had been in help. However Channel 14 on Thursday discovered 61% in favor and 35% opposed.
Critics of the Excessive Court docket say it’s overreaching and unrepresentative of the voters. Its proponents name the court docket a method of bringing equilibrium to a fractious society.
“Tens of 1000’s of individuals had been at tonight’s demonstrations. Within the elections held right here two and a half months in the past, tens of millions turned out,” posted Likud Minister Miki Zohar.
“We promised the folks change, we promised governance, we promised reforms – and we are going to make good on that.”