Street protests are underway in more than 100 cities across Israel and are expected to gather several hundred thousand demonstrators. In Tel Aviv alone, it is estimated that up to 200,000 people will gather in the streets and in Jerusalem, demonstrations will take place right next to the president's residence, Haaretz reports.
"They are the largest demonstrations in the country's history and they just keep growing week by week," says SVT's Middle East correspondent Samir Abu Eid, who is in Israel.
Repeal decisions
Dissatisfaction is directed at the Netanyahu government's decision to change Israel's legal system. Among other things, parliament will be given the opportunity to overturn judgments and decisions of the country's highest court, which, according to the governing coalition, has too much power. The change in the law would also mean increased political influence over the process of appointing the members of the court.
According to the critics, mainly secular Israelis, the government's purpose is to strengthen its power. Many call it a constitutional crisis and fear that the country's democracy is under threat and risks being replaced by ultra-religious authoritarianism.