More than 100,000 Israelis demonstrate again against restructuring justice King Momo gets key to city: carnival in Rio de Janeiro begins

For the seventh Saturday in a row, more than 100,000 people took to the streets against Israel’s controversial judicial reform, organizers said. In the coastal city of Tel Aviv, protesters gathered in the center of the city in the evening and waved Israeli flags. Signs included “Israel must not become a dictatorship” or appeals to the international community such as “Biden, Macron – help us”. Earlier, several roads were closed due to the rally.

The protests, which also took place in cities such as Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheva, targeted plans by the right-wing religious government to specifically weaken the country’s justice system.

Parliament must, among other things, be able to overturn decisions by the Supreme Court with a simple majority. Politicians should also be given more influence in the appointment of judges. The first reading of the controversial reform in parliament is scheduled for next Monday. Three readings are required in total for a change in the law.

Critics see the plans as a threat to the democratic separation of powers. The right-wing religious government argues that the court currently wields too much political influence. Just like last week, strikes and a large demonstration are planned in Jerusalem for Monday.

Meanwhile, Israel’s police chief Kobi Shabtai warned of political violence in a heated atmosphere. People would write things without thinking about the implications, Schabtai told Channel 12, calling for dialogue. The current situation is very worrying. (sda/dpa)