Street protests in Israel attract 500,000 people

Street protests in Israel against government attempts to curb court power draw 500,000

  • Hundreds of thousands took to the streets to demonstrate across the country
  • People are angry at the prime minister’s attempts to curb the legislative powers of the courts
  • Proposals will give ministers influence over the choice of judges in the courts

The largest protests in Israel’s history have taken place against government measures to limit the power of judges.

Hundreds of thousands took to the streets Saturday evening to demonstrate in cities across the country.

Normally such activism focuses on the liberal city of Tel Aviv, where at least 200,000 people are believed to have gathered, but organizers said another 300,000 protested in other cities as well.

They are angry at efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to curb the power of the courts in legislation passing through parliament.

It will give ministers decisive influence over the choice of judges and limit the Supreme Court’s ability to strike down laws.

Hundreds of thousands took to the streets Saturday evening to demonstrate in cities across the country

A protester holds a flaming torch during a large-scale protest against the government's overhaul plan

A protester holds a flaming torch during a large-scale protest against the government’s overhaul plan

They are angry at efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to curb the power of the courts in legislation passing through parliament

They are angry at efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to curb the power of the courts in legislation passing through parliament

A person holds a banner during a demonstration as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nationalist coalition government continues its contentious judicial overhaul

A person holds a banner during a demonstration as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s nationalist coalition government continues its contentious judicial overhaul

Normally such activism focuses on the liberal city of Tel Aviv, where at least 200,000 people are believed to have gathered, but organizers said another 300,000 protested in other cities as well.

Normally such activism focuses on the liberal city of Tel Aviv, where at least 200,000 people are believed to have gathered, but organizers said another 300,000 protested in other cities as well.

Israelis demonstrate against controversial judicial review, outside Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin's home

Israelis demonstrate against controversial judicial review, outside Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin’s home

A woman protests in Haifa against the government's controversial reform bill

A woman protests in Haifa against the government’s controversial reform bill

People demonstrate during 'Day of the Resistance' as protests erupted across the country

People demonstrate during ‘Day of the Resistance’ as protests erupted across the country

Opponents believe the measures threaten the basis of democracy in the country and could lead to an authoritarian government.