Roads and train stations blocked: Big protest day in Israel 41 degrees in Rome – Italy groans under the heat wave

Thousands of Israelis protested Tuesday against the government’s weakening of the judiciary as part of a “Day of Resistance.” Gatherings and disruptive actions took place across the country. According to media reports, central roads and several train stations in the country were temporarily blocked. In the center of the coastal city of Tel Aviv, a train stop was closed by police due to “security concerns”.

Train traffic across the country was temporarily halted. It was initially unclear whether there was any connection to the demonstrations. According to the Israeli railway company, there was a computer malfunction.

The nationwide protest day started early in the morning. Protesters blocked access to the stock exchange and military headquarters in Tel Aviv. Others called for a general strike outside the headquarters of Israel’s largest union. There were occasional violent clashes between police officers and protesters. Several dozen people have been temporarily detained, according to the police.

In the evening a big rally was planned in the center of Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Israeli President Izchak Herzog was scheduled to meet US President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington. Hundreds also demonstrated in front of the US embassy in Tel Aviv in the afternoon. The organizers are calling on the US to use its influence and dissuade the Israeli government from its controversial plans.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition plans to specifically weaken the country’s independent judiciary. She accuses her of having too much influence on political decisions.

He wants to pass an important part of the comprehensive legislative project in parliament by the middle of next week. The government accuses the judges of interfering too much in political decisions. In the coming week, an important part of the reform to curtail the Supreme Court will be passed. Critics see the separation of powers and thus democracy in danger. Some even warn of the creeping introduction of a dictatorship. (sda/dpa)