Thousands of supporters of the controversial judicial restructuring have gathered in Israel. According to Channel 12, around 30,000 protesters marched through central Tel Aviv today, blocking a highway in both directions. According to the Haaretz newspaper, some of them broke through police barriers and clashed with security forces. Some set off fireworks.
Several right-wing organizations called for the protest. According to media reports, calls for violence against journalists had been circulated in advance. These would have to be “completed”, quoted Haaretz from messages that participants would have exchanged in group chats in advance. At night, loud chants, clapping and horns sometimes prevented journalists from delivering their reports to the camera.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition wants to use the restructuring to limit the influence of the highest court and expand the government’s position of power. She accuses the highest court of excessive interference in political decisions. In future, Parliament should be able to overturn decisions of the highest court by a simple majority. Critics see the separation of powers in jeopardy and warn of a state crisis if the reform is implemented in this way.