Thousands protest in Israel despite judicial overhaul pause

Protesters take to the streets days after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to freeze the controversial proposal.

Thousands of Israelis have protested in Tel Aviv for the 13th consecutive week against a controversial judicial review that has now been suspended by the government while talks are held with party representatives.

With Israeli flags on Saturday, people marched through the center of Israel’s commercial hub, chanting “democracy” and carrying placards condemning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government.

Smaller gatherings took place in other cities.

Demonstrations broke out in January after the coalition announced its reform package, which the government says is needed to rebalance power between parliamentarians and the judiciary.

The proposed reforms would curtail the Supreme Court’s authority and give politicians more power over the selection of judges, which opponents say could jeopardize Israeli democracy.

On Monday, Netanyahu announced a pause in parliament passing necessary legislation amid a general strike provoked by his announcement that he would fire Defense Secretary Yoav Gallant for calling for such a pause.

Talks for compromise

On Tuesday, representatives from most parliamentary parties began talks at President Isaac Herzog’s residence to try to formulate legislation that would be acceptable to both sides of the political spectrum.

Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith, reporting from Tel Aviv, said a broad spectrum of the Israeli population opposed Netanyahu’s plans to overhaul the judiciary.

“Many people here don’t believe the prime minister when he says he will actually consult,” he said.

He added that Netanyahu is under intense pressure from his far-right allies to continue with the judicial reforms, despite nationwide protests against the move.

Critics see the government’s move as a threat to the independence of the court and an attempt at a legal coup. Proponents have said it is looking for a less elitist, interventionist bank.

Netanyahu, on trial for corruption charges he has denied, said reforms are needed to balance the branches of government. His Likud party and political allies on the far right have called on their political base to stage counter-demonstrations.

Israeli media estimates that more than 150,000 people attended anti-government protests across the country on Saturday.

Many political commentators and opposition members have expressed skepticism about the chances of Herzog’s mediation efforts, with the coalition saying it would finalize legislation in the next parliamentary session if talks failed.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu did not hand Gallant the legally required letter of resignation, so the defense minister simply carried out his duties.