Protesters take to the streets days after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to freeze the controversial proposal.
Thousands of Israelis have protested in Tel Aviv for the 13th straight week against a controversial judicial reform that has now been suspended by the government pending talks with party officials.
On Saturday, people with Israeli flags marched through the center of Israel’s commercial hub, chanting “democracy” and carrying placards condemning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government.
Smaller rallies were held in other cities.
Demonstrations erupted in January after the coalition announced its package of reforms, which the government says are necessary to rebalance powers between parliamentarians and the judiciary.
The proposed reforms would limit the authority of the Supreme Court and give politicians greater powers to choose judges, which opponents say could endanger Israeli democracy.
On Monday, in the face of a general strike sparked by his announcement that he would fire Defense Secretary Yoav Gallant for just calling for such a pause, Netanyahu announced a pause in parliament passing the necessary legislation.
The proposed reforms would limit the authority of the Supreme Court [Ronen Zvulun/Reuters]
talks for compromise
On Tuesday, representatives of most parliamentary parties began talks at President Isaac Herzog’s residence to try to draft legislation that would be acceptable to both sides of the political spectrum.
Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith, reporting from Tel Aviv, said a broad spectrum of the Israeli population opposed Netanyahu’s plans for a judicial overhaul.
“A lot of people here don’t believe the prime minister when he says he’s really going to engage in consultations,” he said.
He added that Netanyahu is under heavy pressure from his far-right allies to push ahead with judicial reform despite nationwide protests against the move.
Critics see the government’s move as a threat to the independence of the court and a legal coup attempt. Proponents have said it is aiming for a less elite, interventionist bank.
Netanyahu, who is on trial over corruption charges he has denied, said reforms were needed to balance the branches of government. His Likud party and political allies on the extreme right have called on their political base to stage counter-demonstrations.
Israeli media estimated that more than 150,000 people took part in anti-government protests across the country on Saturday.
Many political commentators and members of the opposition expressed skepticism about the chances of Herzog’s mediation efforts. The coalition said it would finalize legislation at the next parliamentary session if talks collapse.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has failed to provide Gallant with the letter of resignation required by law, leaving the defense minister to carry out his duties as usual.