Demonstrations are taking place across the country and major roads are being blocked
In Israel, opponents of the government’s judicial reform plan have predicted a day of “total paralysis of the country” on Thursday. The demonstrators went out to protest from all corners of the country against a project they say puts “democracy at risk”.
In Ashdod, protesters took to the streets with flags and roadblocks were set up using tires that they set on fire. In Tel Aviv, protesters stormed Kaplan Street, where weekly demonstrations have been taking place for the past 12 weeks. All trades are present in the large-scale protests this Thursday.
During the night from Wednesday to Thursday, the Knesset plenary passed the first law on legal reform – the Fortress Law – in second and third readings. After lengthy debate, the law passed with a majority of 61 in favor versus 47 against.
Opposition politician Benny Gantz called on Israelis to demonstrate: “This is a personal law aimed at strengthening Netanyahu’s power. I call on everyone to demonstrate today against the regime’s coup d’état that is moving forward and is putting us in danger.”
30 demonstrators were arrested. A man was arrested in Rishon Lezion after attacking protesters.
Several protesters lined up outside the home of MP Aryeh Deri and Education Minister Yoav Kish, while others arrived outside the Prime Minister’s house in Caesarea. Demonstrators also arrived near the airport.
Many roads are blocked across the country while several riots broke out between protesters and police on the fringes of the processions.
Thousands of protesters are expected throughout the day. At around 8:30 a.m., a protest took place in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence on Gaza Street in Jerusalem. At 10am a large gathering was held on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv and then in front of the Museum of Modern Art where exhibitions, visits and conferences are canceled for the day. Later in the morning, a march by women in red dresses (representing slaves) started down Kaplan Street towards Begin Street in Tel Aviv while the Ayalon highway is closed from 12 noon. In parallel, a march of students and teachers in Kiryat HaLaum in Jerusalem, a demonstration of health and social workers in Haifa and a march of high-tech workers in Beer Sheva were organized.
Thousands of people gathered at Beer Sheva.
In addition, disturbances on the roads are to be expected at the end of the evening before the Prime Minister’s departure for London.
