Thousands of proponents of judicial reform demonstrate in Israel

Thousands of supporters of the controversial judicial reform have gathered in Israel after calls for violence against journalists and activists from the other side. According to Channel 12, about 30,000 protesters marched through central Tel Aviv on Thursday evening, blocking a highway in both directions. According to Haaretz newspaper, some of them broke through police barriers and clashed with security forces. Some set off fireworks.

Several right-wing organizations had called for the protest. According to media reports, calls for violence against journalists circulated in advance. Those should be “finished”, “Haaretz” quoted from messages that participants would have exchanged beforehand in group chats. In the evening, journalists on the spot were sometimes prevented from delivering their reports to the camera amid loud singing, clapping and roaring.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition wants to use the judicial reform to curb the influence of the Supreme Court and expand the government’s power. She accuses the Supreme Court of excessive interference in political decisions. In the future, parliament should be able to overturn Supreme Court decisions by a simple majority. Critics see the separation of powers in danger and warn of a state crisis if the reform is implemented in this way.

Netanyahu supporters wave flags of his Likud party in the street. Some reportedly chanted slogans like “The people demand judicial reform,” while others described Netanyahu as “King of Israel.” The supporters of the reform also want to counter the mass protests of recent weeks. Tens of thousands in Tel Aviv and other cities protested the course of the right-wing religious government. (sda/dpa)