For the 17th week… Demonstrations in Israel against the judicial reform continues

Tel Aviv witnessed, on Saturday evening, a massive new demonstration protesting the project to reform the judicial system, which is supported by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and considered by its critics to be contrary to the foundations of democracy, days before the Knesset resumed its work.

The Israeli Channel 12 estimated the number of demonstrators at about 150,000, while Channel 13 estimated the number at about 200,000.

Israelis have been demonstrating weekly for four months against the judicial reform that Benjamin Netanyahu’s government wants to implement, which critics consider anti-democratic.

The Knesset is scheduled to resume work on Monday after a recess.

Supporters and opponents of the reforms sought to put more pressure on politicians.

The coalition government, which includes parties from the right, the far-right, and ultra-Orthodox formations, asserts that the reforms aim to correct an imbalance between the judiciary and elected members of parliament, while its critics say it endangers Israeli democracy.

The architect of the reform project, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, spoke to thousands of demonstrators supporting the reforms in Jerusalem on Thursday.

The ultra-Orthodox Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich participated in the pro-reform demonstration, vowing that the government wouldn’t abandon it.

On March 27, Netanyahu announced the suspension of the legislative process to give an opportunity for dialogue after the expansion of the protest movement and the start of a general strike.

Negotiations between the parties under the auspices of President Isaac Herzog began this month to reach a settlement.

However, the opposition still doubts Netanyahu’s intentions, and no settlement has been reached.