Hundreds of thousands of people protest against the Netanyahu government As in the film: a man in Germany is chased by 41 police cars

More than 100,000 people demonstrated in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The biggest protest to date against the right-wing religious coalition, which was sworn in at the end of December, has focused on their plans, which critics see as a targeted weakening of the justice system. Meanwhile, Netanyahu on Sunday was forced to abide by a top court ruling and fire one of his top ministers.

The judges on Wednesday classified Arie Deri’s appointment as minister of the interior and public health because of his criminal past as “inappropriate”. Deri is chairman of the strictly religious party Schas. Netanyahu expressed deep regret over the resignation, which he only carried out “with pain in his heart”.

The Deri case had further fueled protests in Israel. Protesters gathered at various locations in central Tel Aviv for the third consecutive Saturday night. Among other things, they waved Israeli flags. Posters read “Stop the end of democracy” and there were also pictures of Netanyahu with the words “Criminals”.

Israeli writer and peace activist David Grossman spoke at the demonstration of a “great awakening” of the people in Israel, the “beginning of the return of crippling internal emigration.” With regard to the controversial judicial reform, he compared the country to a house on fire. “I refuse to be homeless in my own country,” said Grossman.

Liberal former Prime Minister Jair Lapid also attended the meeting. Thousands of people also took to the streets in the cities of Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheba.

They mainly protested against the highly controversial plans of Justice Minister Jariv Levin. A majority in parliament should therefore be able to pass a law, even if, in the opinion of the highest court, it conflicts with the Basic Law. Levin also wants to change the composition of the panel that appoints judges. The sweeping changes could also play into the hands of Netanyahu in an ongoing corruption case against him.

Proponents of the planned judicial reform feel vindicated by the verdict against Deri. They have for years accused the Supreme Court of excessive interference in political decisions.

The judges justified their verdict with Deri’s repeated conviction. They also stated that he had assured the court in a court case for tax offenses last year that he would retire from politics. Deri herself denies this.

The long-time Schas chairman is considered a close confidant of Netanyahu. His appointment had been a crucial demand from his party during the coalition negotiations. Before the verdict, members of the party threatened to leave the government if Deri lost his post. The party has eleven of the ruling coalition’s 64 seats in parliament. The coalition had changed a law to allow Deri to become minister despite his conviction.

(yam/sda/dpa)