Tens of thousands of Israelis again protest against government policy What if Donald Trump actually has to go behind bars?

Tens of thousands of people have once again taken to the streets in Israel to protest against the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing religious government. According to Israeli media, 100,000 people attended the main rally in the coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv on Saturday evening. In total, there were protests in about 150 cities.

The demonstrators spoke out against a judicial reform planned by the government. “We have no other country” read posters. Some signals were directed against the occupation of the Palestinian territories.

Also came to the rally in Tel Aviv Opposition leader Jair Lapid, as reported by Israeli media. Photos showed him in the middle of the protest in front of a sea of ​​blue and white national flags. In a suburb of Tel Aviv, protesters filed a complaint after being attacked with pepper spray from a passing car, Haaretz newspaper reported. Several women were injured.

Regular protests

Anti-government demonstrations in Israel have been frequent since the beginning of the year. In particular, Netanyahu’s coalition wants to weaken the Supreme Court with judicial reform. The government accuses him of excessive interference in political decisions. Critics see the separation of powers in danger and warn of a state crisis.

Netanyahu shelved the plans in March after enormous pressure. Negotiations between the government and the opposition have so far failed.

The government suffered a defeat in the dispute on Wednesday. In a parliamentary vote, an opposition MP was elected, also with votes from the ruling coalition, to represent him on a panel that selects judges. A government representative, on the other hand, received too few yes votes.

Now the post must be voted again within 30 days. Lapid said negotiations with the government on judicial reform will not continue until the constitution of the body is finalized.

(dsc/sda/dpa)