New mass protests in Israel before the hearing on the restructuring of the judiciary. These 27 cartoons summarize a crazy week

A few days before the start of a crucial court hearing, more than a hundred thousand Israelis demonstrated against the controversial restructuring of the judiciary. According to media reports, more than 118,000 people took part in the central demonstration in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on Saturday evening. Organizers estimate the number at 140,000. There were also protests in other places in Israel. For example, posters read: “The court is in charge” or “Without the Supreme Court there is no democracy.”

At the end of July, as part of a highly controversial restructuring of the judiciary, the coalition passed a law limiting the Supreme Court’s powers of action. Critics classify the approach as a threat to Israeli democracy. The government argues that the Supreme Court is too powerful and interferes too much in political issues.

Next Tuesday, all fifteen Supreme Court judges plan to meet for the first time to hear petitions against the new law. However, it was unclear when a decision could be expected. It is expected that the discussions could last several weeks.

In Israel’s history, a similar law has never been rejected by the Supreme Court. If this happens now and the government does not accept the decision, the country will face a national crisis.

Netanyahu has not yet publicly stated whether he will abide by the court’s ruling. On Wednesday, he shared a message from parliament speaker Amir Ohana on X, formerly Twitter, in which Ohana suggested the government would not accept a withdrawal. The Knesset, the parliament, “will not tolerate being trampled,” Ohana wrote. The court must recognize its “limits to power.” (sda/dpa)