The protest movement is always full in Israel. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Tel Aviv again on Saturday evening, April 22, to protest against the reform of the judiciary wanted by the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, considered anti-democratic by its critics.

This is the 16th consecutive week of mobilization, in Tel Aviv and other cities across the country, ahead of a week that will see Israel commemorate Remembrance Day, for its soldiers killed and victims of terrorism, and celebrate its 75th anniversary.

In Tel Aviv, some protesters held signs that read: "We will defend what you fell for," referring to fallen soldiers.

The Tel Aviv demonstration, the largest gathering in the country, brought together tens of thousands of participants, according to an AFP journalist on the spot. Smaller protests took place in other cities across the country, including Haifa.

Police do not provide official figures on the number of participants in the protests.

Days of commemoration

Saturday's protests come ahead of a week that will see large rallies of opponents and reform supporters, alongside the commemorations of Iom Hazikaron (Remembrance Day) on Tuesday, followed by celebrations of the 75th anniversary of its founding on Iom Haatzmaut (Independence Day) on Wednesday.

On Sunday, a large demonstration of opponents of the reform is planned in Tel Aviv during Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the general assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America.

Another large rally of opponents of the reform was announced for Tuesday night in Tel Aviv.

Supporters of the reform are scheduled to rally on Thursday evening.

Mobilization remains strong

Since the announcement of the reform project in early January, tens of thousands of Israelis have gathered every week to denounce the text and condemn the government formed in December by Benjamin Netanyahu.

The latter announced on 27 March a legislative "pause" to give a "chance [...] dialogue", after an intensification of protests, the beginning of a general strike and the appearance of tensions within the majority, but the mobilization against the reform remains strong.

For the government, the text aims, among other things, to rebalance powers by reducing the prerogatives of the Supreme Court, which the executive considers politicized, to the benefit of Parliament.

Critics of the reform, on the contrary, believe that it risks paving the way for an "illiberal" or authoritarian drift.

With AFP

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