Tens of thousands of Israelis continue to protest Netanyahu’s government This sailor won the world’s toughest regatta and saved a life

In Israel, tens of thousands have once again taken to the streets to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing religious government. They gathered in several major cities on Saturday night and waved Israeli flags.

Banners and signs in Tel Aviv carried slogans such as “Stop them”, “Israel is not Iran” or “The marauding government”. According to the organizers, more than 130,000 people took part in the Mediterranean metropolis alone.

For months, there have been regular demonstrations across Israel over a government-led reform of the judiciary. This week, protests also targeted the planned new distribution of state finances. The government must approve the budget at the end of May.

Strictly religious should benefit from it

According to media reports, the strictly religious coalition parties in particular will benefit from the plans that have already been approved by the finance committee.

The organizers of the protests accused the government of “plundering the state treasury in favor of political corruption”. Netanyahu distributes tax money to his allies “to facilitate the implementation of dictatorial laws,” it said in a statement.

The right-wing religious coalition wants to limit the influence of the highest national court by restructuring the judiciary. She accuses the court of excessive interference in political decisions. Critics see the separation of powers in danger and warn of a state crisis. Netanyahu shelved the plans in March. Negotiations between the government and the opposition on a compromise have so far failed.

(dsc/sda/dpa)