Israelis protest Netanyahu's judicial reform plans

People, holding banners and Israeli flags, gather to demonstrate after the legislation that limits the judiciary’s authority at Azrieli Square in Tel Aviv, Israel on January 21, 2023 [Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu Agency]

Thousands took to the streets in Tel Aviv to protest plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to overhaul the legal system, reports Anadolu Agency.

Organisers announced that no music will be played from stages during the demonstrations.

Police closed roads to traffic leading to squares during the day and security measures were taken in the surrounding area.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered on Kaplan Street, carrying Israeli flags. Demonstrators chanted “Democracy” and “No to dictatorship”.

Proposed by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the reform, if enacted, would be the most radical change in the system of government in Israel.

The proposed changes will severely limit the power of the Supreme Court and give the government the power to choose judges and end the appointment of legal advisers to ministries by the attorney general.

But Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, said he received a mandate from millions of voters to carry out judicial reforms.

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