Israelis congregated in towns and cities across the country on Saturday for the eleventh consecutive week of protests against the judicial reform plans of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ultra-right government.
The demonstrators are concerned that the proposed reforms, which are currently making their way through parliament and would increase the power of politicians over the courts, pose a threat to Israeli democracy.
In Tel Aviv’s Dizengoff plaza, thousands waved Israeli and LGBTQ flags.
As they embarked on a march through the city’s core, the demonstrators blocked roads. One placard held aloft by the throng proclaimed, “Save Democracy!”
“I am concerned for my daughters and grandchildren,” said Naama Mazor, a 64-year-old Herzliya resident, and retiree.
“We desire for Israel to remain democratic and liberal, Jewish of course, but liberal nonetheless. “We are extremely worried that it will become a dictatorship,” she said. There is no partial democracy. Either we are a democracy or we are a dictatorship. Nothing exists in between.”
Sagiv Golan, 46, of Tel Aviv, stated that the government was “attempting to destroy civil rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, and all that democracy advocates for… We wish to demonstrate the democratic voice.” Israeli media recorded protests in over 100 cities and villages, including Haifa, Jerusalem, and Beersheba.
Since Netanyahu’s government announced the reforms in January, just days after assuming office. There have been frequent massive demonstrations throughout Israel.
Netanyahu, who is on trial for a corruption charge he denies, has been accused by opponents of the package of attempting to use the reforms to prevent potential judgments against him. The accusation has been refuted by the prime minister.
Wednesday, President Isaac Herzog presented a compromise proposal out of concern for the widening rift in Israeli society. But the government promptly rejected it.
Herzog stated, “Anyone who believes that a genuine civil war involving human lives is an impassable barrier has no idea what he is talking about.” Thursday, opposition party leaders stated at a press conference that they supported Herzog’s proposal.
