Tens of thousands of people take to the streets of Israeli cities for the ninth week in a row to protest once morest the government’s judicial reform. Protests were held in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Karmiel. The demonstrators are protesting once morest a law that would limit the powers of Israel’s Supreme Court.
Today’s demonstrations were peaceful, unlike protests earlier this week that escalated into clashes with police, Archyde.com reported. Police fired stun grenades on March 1, and scuffles erupted in Tel Aviv during a nationwide “riot day.”
If passed, the law that promotes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government would limit the power of the Supreme Court to rule once morest the legislature and the executive, giving legislators the ultimate power to appoint judges.
Mr. Netanyahu is pushing reform as a key to restoring balance between the branches of government in a system that he says gives judges too much power over elected officials, AFP recalls. The premier, who is on trial for corruption, denies any connection between the reforms and his process, and also denies all accusations.
Critics say the law under discussion will weaken the courts and also jeopardize civil liberties. “There is a great danger that Israel will turn into a dictatorship,” said one of the protesters today, March 4, 68-year-old high school teacher Ofir Kubitsky.
