Tens of thousands of Israelis joined protests today, Saturday, against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to tighten restrictions on the Supreme Court, despite increasing security concerns following two deadly attacks yesterday. Today’s demonstrations are part of a series of protests against the plans, which were suspended last month in the face of a wave of strikes and massive protests.
In the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, it is expected that the number of participants in the Tarawih prayer will reach tens of thousands, amid fears of possible repeated incursions by Israeli police at night, similar to what happened last week, which was followed by rocket fire on Israel and Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and southern Lebanon.
In central Tel Aviv, crowds gathered waving Israeli flags to protest plans that they see as a direct threat to Israeli democracy. Hundreds of thousands participated in the protests, including reservists in the army, business leaders, members of the Israeli technology industry, and prominent academics, all confronting supporters of Netanyahu's religious-national coalition.
The government argues that "the amendment is necessary to restore the proper balance between the judiciary and elected politicians," while critics say that "the amendments will remove some of the essential checks and balances on which a democratic state is based and grant absolute power to the government."
