Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv again on Saturday (April 29th) to protest against the reform of the judiciary sought by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, before the opening of the parliamentary session on Monday.
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, one of the most right-wing in Israel.
The latter announced on March 27 a "pause" to give a "chance [...] to dialogue", but the mobilization against the reform considered anti-democratic by its critics, remains strong.
"History has its eyes on you," reads a sign held up at the rally in Tel Aviv, where protesters waved the national flag and smoke bombs.
Police do not provide official figures on the number of participants in the protests.
Reaching a compromise
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.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has been holding talks for a month with government and opposition officials to reach a compromise on the terms of the reform.
Supporters and critics of the reform are trying to keep up the pressure on politicians ahead of Monday's opening parliamentary session.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who initiated the reform, addressed thousands of supporters gathered in Jerusalem on Thursday. Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich (Religious Zionism, far right), who also took part in the demonstration, said the government would not "give up" on the reform.
With AFP
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