(Tel Aviv) Thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to continue protesting against the government’s judiciary reform, ahead of a crucial week that is expected to see more legislation and further protests. mass.
Demonstrations have followed each week since the presentation in January by the government of Binyamin Netanyahu, one of the most right-wing in the history of Israel, of a reform project which divides the country.
Arousing concern in the country, but also abroad, the reform aims to increase the power of elected officials over that of magistrates. According to its detractors, it jeopardizes the democratic character of the State of Israel.
“We are here today to speak out and join our voices with the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Israelis who support the values on which this country was founded,” such as “democracy” and “tolerance,” he said. Daniel Nisman, 36, who works in the high-tech sector, told AFP.
Early Saturday evening, thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv, according to an AFP journalist.
“More and more Israelis are waking up,” said Josh Drill, a spokesman for one of the so-called “umbrella” protest movements.
“We are not going to live in a dictatorship,” the 26-year-old told AFP.
Israel’s main allies, including Washington, have questioned plans to give more power to politicians and reduce the role of the Supreme Court.
US President Joe Biden has expressed “concerns” about these judicial reforms, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday.
Mr. Netanyahu and his far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies believe this reform project is necessary to restore a balanced balance of power between elected officials and the Supreme Court, which they consider politicized.
Israeli MPs are expected to vote next week on one of the central elements of the reform, at the heart of the concerns of its detractors, foreseeing the change in the process for appointing judges.
The text was amended in committee to soften the content with a view to achieving a wider vote, but without the support of the opposition, which turned a deaf ear to the call for dialogue launched Thursday evening by Mr. Netanyahu, continuing to demand “a pause” in legislative work on reform before any negotiations with the majority.