Netanyahu judicial overhaul bill to go ahead as Israel braced for more protests

Israeli Prime Minister criticised military opposition to his plans

People take part in a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government's judicial overhaul in Tel Aviv on Saturday. Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is going ahead with the second of three votes for its controversial bill as part of a planned judicial overhaul that would limit the Supreme Court's powers.

It came as more protests were expected on Monday.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Mr Netanyahu defended the overhaul and the “reasonableness” bill as it moved forward, condemning the mass protests and opposition from within the military.

“In a democracy, the military is subordinate to the elected government and not the other way around,” he said. “Insubordination is contrary to democracy and contrary to the law.”

"The government won't accept insubordination. The government will act against it and will take all necessary steps to ensure our security and our future."

Reservists in the air force and cyberwarfare units had threatened not to report for duty if the overhaul moves forward. The third and final reading of the so-called reasonableness bill is expected to take place next week before the Knesset breaks for the summer.

A “day of disruption” protest is expected to take place on Tuesday. Widespread demonstrations have already halted traffic on major roads and chocked the terminal at Israel's main international airport in Tel Aviv.

Protester Elad Ziv, 45, a programmer, told AFP the coming weeks were crucial to stopping the legal changes.

“We have two and a half weeks to the end of parliament's summer session and we have to block them, otherwise Israel will become a worse place,” he said.

Mr Netanyahu, 73, was discharged from hospital on Sunday after being admitted the previous day for dehydration, with doctors, who implanted a heart monitor, saying he was in good health.

In the West Bank, armed groups have called for protests against the Palestinian Authority and its security apparatus over its arrest of five members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

"Today at 9pm, we invite the people of the West Bank and Jenin to come out in protests of rage across all areas of the West Bank and in Gaza to denounce this unethical and immoral act," the Jenin Brigades said in a statement.

Israeli Channel 14 had earlier reported that following a visit by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to Jenin and Jenin camp on Wednesday, Israel had agreed to suspend raids on the area in exchange for the Authority's co-operation in cracking down on militants.