Protests erupted nationwide after the Israeli Parliament adopted a key clause of the government’s judicial overhaul package in a first reading, which would limit court powers.
Protests erupted across Israel Tuesday, hours after Parliament adopted in a first reading a key clause of the government’s judicial overhaul package, which opponents say threatens democracy.
Israel’s Parliament adopted in a first reading a controversial bill that would limit court powers in a new offensive to push ahead with a judicial overhaul that has split the nation.
The changes proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-right government have sparked one of the country’s biggest-ever protest movements since their announcement in January.
Ahead of the debate, some protesters entered the Knesset building and had to be dragged out, and hundreds more demonstrated outside.
Protesters blocked roads across Israel and gathered at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, with police reporting 42 arrests nationwide.
The police, in a statement, said they “authorize the freedom to demonstrate while upholding law and order.”
Israeli protest leaders had announced a day of mobilization in anticipation of the parliamentary vote, with dozens of rallies expected nationwide.
The Israeli Premier told the Wall Street Journal last month that he had removed one of the most controversial elements of the overhaul. This clause would allow Parliament to override Supreme Court rulings.
The latest parliamentary vote aimed to scrap the so-called “reasonability” clause, through which the Supreme Court can strike down government decisions.
Speaking in Parliament during the overnight debate, opposition leader Yair Lapid slammed “this damned government” and vowed the bill would not make it through its second and third readings.
Lapid and fellow opposition chiefs were involved in cross-party talks over the reform package, which collapsed last month.
Addressing the chamber, Justice Minister Yariv Levin said the current system contradicts democracy.
Miroslava Salazar with AFP
