Israelis block roads in protest against Netanyahu legal plan

Israelis stopped highways and marched on Thursday to urge MPs after parliament resumed this week after a month-long holiday.

After intense pressure, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paused the overhaul in March, and the sides are trying to compromise. Tens of thousands have protested every Saturday night since, indicating skepticism of his intentions.

The midweek protest on Thursday was supposed to be smaller, but protesters want to remind politicians of their presence and ability to disrupt the country over the change.

Dozens of Israeli flag-waving protestors blocked major roadways and intersections in beachside Tel Aviv and elsewhere. Demonstrations took place outside the homes of Israel’s ceremonial president and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who demanded Netanyahu give him authority over a new national guard, which critics call his personal militia, in exchange for pausing the plan.

Police arrested one protester for causing disturbances.
Thursday’s protest leaders called for “equality” and criticized Israel’s rising cost of living and ultra-Orthodox Jews’ military draft exemptions. To protest a milk price increase, protesters turned a pool of water at Tel Aviv’s national theater square white.

Israel’s most right-wing government’s plan to restructure the court caused one of its worst domestic crises, tearing apart society and generating new divisions. The legislation halt reduced tensions, but Netanyahu’s friends want him to proceed with the makeover. The crisis negotiations seem to have failed.

Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, was slammed by business leaders, the IT industry, and military reservists, who threatened to skip duty if the proposal was approved. After firing his opposing defense minister, spontaneous protests arose, and he caved.

The idea, which would weaken the Supreme Court and limit judicial review on legislation and government decisions, is intended to rein in an interventionist court and give power back to elected lawmakers.

Opponents believe it will disrupt Israel’s delicate checks and balances and threaten democracy.