Thousands of Israelis Protest Government Plan to Limit Judicial Power
(MENAFN) On Thursday, thousands of Israelis are expected to participate in the "Day of Resistance" rallies to protest the government's plan to introduce judicial changes, which the opposition views as an attempt to reduce the powers of the judicial authority in favor of the executive authority. The protests are taking place in response to the proposed reform, which, if enacted, would severely limit the power of the Supreme Court of Justice, give the government the power to choose judges, and end the appointment of legal advisers to ministries by the attorney general.
The main rally is taking place in central Tel Aviv, where nearly 3,000 Israeli police personnel are deployed to prevent protesters from blocking roads. The National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has stated that the police will not allow blocking the main roads, including those leading to Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv. The police have been instructed to use a "heavy hand" against protesters who block roads, and a fine of 500 Israeli shekels ($140) will be imposed on any driver caught driving slowly intentionally to cause traffic issues.
The protests are not a new development, as thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets in the past two months to protest Netanyahu's plans for judicial overhaul. The proposed changes have been met with opposition, as they are viewed as an attempt to undermine democracy by limiting the powers of the judiciary. The opposition argues that the reforms would be the most radical change ever in the system of government in Israel.
Despite the opposition's concerns, Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, insists that his judicial plan would enhance democracy. However, the proposed changes have been met with skepticism, and many Israelis view them as a power grab by the government. The protests on Thursday are likely to be a significant challenge for the government, as they demonstrate widespread opposition to the proposed reforms.
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