Tens of thousands take to Tel Aviv streets over judicial overhaul plan

Protests opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legal overhaul proposal show no signs of slowing

Tens of thousands of Israelis protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system in Tel Aviv on April 15, 2023. AP

Israeli demonstrations against the government’s plan to overhaul the judiciary continued on Saturday, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to pause the contentious proposals.

Tens of thousands of people participated in the main protest held in the central city of Tel Aviv, while smaller demonstrations took place across the country.

Protest organisers, who have held these weekly protests for over three months, aim to maintain momentum and increase pressure on Mr Netanyahu and his government until the proposed changes are scrapped.

Bending to the mass protests, Mr Netanyahu paused the overhaul plans in March, saying he wanted “to avoid civil war.”

The plan would give Mr Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges, and his allies in Israel's most hard-right government the final say in appointing the nation’s judges. It would also give parliament, which is controlled by his allies, authority to overturn Supreme Court decisions and limit the court’s ability to review laws.

Opponents say it will destroy a system of checks and balances by concentrating power in the hands of Mr Netanyahu and his allies in parliament. They also say that Mr Netanyahu has a conflict of interest at a time when he is on trial.