Tens of thousands of people have returned to Tel Aviv to protest against the new government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. For the third consecutive Saturday night, protesters gathered at various locations in the center of Israel’s coastal city. Among other things, they waved Israeli flags. Signs read “Stop the End of Democracy” or pictures of Netanyahu with the words “Criminals”.
Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid also attended the rally. Attendance numbers are expected to continue to increase as the night progresses. Demonstrations were also announced in the cities of Jerusalem, Haifa and Be’er Sheva.
The protest was mainly directed against the government’s intention to deliberately weaken the country’s judicial system. According to Justice Minister Yariv Levin’s plans, for example, a majority in parliament should be able to pass a law even if the Supreme Court finds that it violates the Basic Law. Levin also wants to change the composition of the panel that appoints the judges. The far-reaching changes could also play into Netanyahu’s hands in his ongoing corruption trial.
This week’s protests were fueled by a far-reaching Supreme Court ruling. Judges ruled on Wednesday that Israel’s health and interior minister, Arie Deri, should not remain in office. The judges justified their judgment with Deri’s repeated conviction. They also claimed that last year, in a lawsuit for tax violations, he guaranteed that he would withdraw from politics.
The new coalition specifically amended a law so that Deri could become a minister despite his conviction. The leader of the strictly religious Shas party is considered a close confidant of Netanyahu. The re-elected prime minister had yet to officially comment on the verdict. It was unclear if he would resist this or if Deri would be released.
Proponents of planned judicial reform feel vindicated by the judgment against Deri. For years they have accused the Supreme Court of excessive interference in political decisions.