Israel

Israel

Are the Protests Against Judicial Reform Escalating in Israel?

Protest leaders threaten unprecedented action if Knesset passes first reading of a key judicial overhaul bill.

Protest against the government has become the norm in the State of Israel. Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90
Protest against the government has become the norm in the State of Israel. Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90

More than 140,000 people are reported to have demonstrated in Tel Aviv against the government’s planned judicial reform, with tens of thousands more in other cities. According to media reports, some demonstrators again carried flags of the Palestinian Authority (PA) or the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

During the demonstration, the Ayalon Expressway was again blocked. But this time the Israeli police reacted quickly and used water cannons, among other means, to clear the road.

A motorcyclist trying to drive through the demonstration collided with a protester, injuring him.

The protest leaders said they would step up opposition to the government if the Knesset passes Monday’s first-reading of a bill that would remove the courts’ ability to rule on the “reasonableness” of government decisions. A “national day of resistance” is planned for Tuesday, when protest marches and demonstrations are to take place across the country, including a large-scale demonstration at Ben Gurion Airport.

 

Nightly protests in front of the Defense Minister’s house

The Brothers in Arms protest movement, representing reservists and military veterans, demonstrated last night outside Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s home.

 

Change of leadership at the police in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv Deputy District Chief David Filo yesterday assumed command of police operations for the first time. This comes after previous district chief Ami Eshed resigned last week. Eshed’s resignation announcement sparked spontaneous protests.

The police on Saturday denied a report by the KAN TV channel that they wanted to set up detention centers near various demonstration sites to hold those violating the law.

The change at the top of the Tel Aviv police force marks an important shift in how the demonstrations are being handled. David Filo, previously deputy chief of police for the Tel Aviv district, will now command the police force and be responsible for handling the protests.

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