Tens of thousands again take to the streets in Israel against justice reform | Abroad

It was the 28th Saturday of protests since the government announced reform plans in January. This includes a proposal that deprives Supreme Court justices of the ability to rule on the “reasonableness” of a government decision. Parliament also has more power.

Israel also came to a virtual standstill on Tuesday due to massive protests against the plans, after Israel’s parliament approved the plans at first reading late Monday evening and the following night. Highways were blocked, tens of thousands of people flocked to the international airport, and protests took place outside parliament and the US embassy.

The police intervened more harshly than in previous demonstrations: water cannons were deployed in major cities and dozens of people were arrested. It was the first mass protest since the resignation of Tel Aviv Police Commissioner Ami Esched. He resigned last week because the national security minister wanted to demote him: Esched has refused to intervene more harshly in the protests because they are largely peaceful.

If the government’s plans come to fruition, the Supreme Court will no longer be allowed to overturn decisions of the government, ministers and elected officials as “unreasonable”. Critics fear the bill could lead to corruption and the arbitrary appointment of leadership positions. For example, the government could now appoint judges. Today, it is still an independent committee that takes care of it.

Of the 120 deputies, 64 passed the law on Monday evening after hours of debate. 56 members voted against. There will be two more votes before the change takes effect. It should be at the end of this month.

The changes were proposed in January by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who spent Saturday night in hospital after being admitted earlier in the day with suspected dehydration. The government’s proposal has led to one of the largest protest movements ever in the country, with massive street demonstrations almost every week.