Protests erupted across Israel for the 23rd consecutive week as demonstrators voiced their opposition to controversial judicial reform plans. Thousands of people flooded the streets of cities like Tel Aviv, expressing concerns about the erosion of democracy.
Thousands took to the streets of cities and towns across Israel on Saturday for the 23rd straight week, protesting controversial judicial reform plans as well as deadly violence hitting Arab communities.
The hard-right government’s reform proposals would curtail the authority of the Supreme Court and give politicians greater powers over the selection of judges.
In March, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had announced a “pause” to allow for talks on the divisive reforms.
In central Tel Aviv, where thousands have gathered according to an AFP correspondent, demonstrator Michal Gat said “our country is being captured by extreme people… we’re being held hostage.”
“We have been here… with our kids, in the rain or hot weather” for 23 weeks, the 47-year-old hi-tech worker told AFP.
“It’s super important for the Israeli people to keep Israel a democracy.”
Some protesters held signs criticising government inaction over a soaring crime wave that has affected the country’s Arab minority.
“We will not let Ben-Gvir get away with murders in the Arab society,” read one sign, referring to Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Since the start of the year, some 100 people have been killed in crime-related violence in Arab Israeli communities, according to NGOs.
Marie de La Roche Saint-André, avec AFP
