Thousands Protest Judicial Reform in Israel

JERUSALEM (AP) — Thousands of Israelis demonstrated outside the country’s parliament on Monday ahead of a preliminary vote on a bill that would give politicians more power to appoint judges, part of a judicial reform proposed by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The committee’s vote, expected to come after a stormy session, kickstarted efforts by Netanyahu and his allies that have divided the country, sparked mass protests and even sparked concern for the US president. Joe Biden.

Protesters who arrived by train in Jerusalem filled the escalators of the city’s main train station, chanting “democracy” with cheers and whistles while waving national flags. A few hundred gathered at Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall, the holiest place where Jews can pray.

In parliament, opposition lawmakers were vehemently protesting the proposal on judicial appointments ahead of a vote in the committee that would send the proposal for a vote in plenary. During a tough session, members of the opposition climbed onto the conference table and shouted as one of Netanyahu’s top allies tried to celebrate the vote.

Thousands marched on the Knesset, Israel’s legislative assembly, a day after the country’s president, a ceremonial figure, urged the government to delay changes to the justice system, which critics say , will weaken the Israeli Supreme Court and erode democratic balances and guarantees.

Many protesters carried the blue and white Israeli flag and banners condemning what they saw as an attack on the country’s democratic institutions. “Shame! Shame on you!” they chanted.

Other protests took place outside schools across the country.

Netanyahu and his allies say the proposed changes are necessary to rein in an overpowered justice system. He and his allies took power in December after the country’s fifth election in less than four years, after less than a year of rule by a shaky coalition of his opponents.

However, its critics say the judicial reform amounts to a coup and will destroy Israeli democracy. They also point out that Netanyahu, who is awaiting a corruption trial that began more than two years ago, is acting out of personal grudge against the justice system and has a huge conflict of interest. Netanyahu claims he is the victim of a witch hunt by prosecutors and the justice system.