Tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated Saturday evening against the plan for judicial reshuffles that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government plans to implement, for the 21st consecutive week.
The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that 80,<> demonstrators demonstrated in downtown Tel Aviv, noting that thousands more came out in Ra'anana, Haifa and Kfar Saba.
Police have blocked a number of main streets near demonstrations across Israel, the newspaper said.
Last Wednesday, the Israeli prime minister announced that the "judicial reform" bills would return after the Knesset (parliament) passed Israel's budget.
Netanyahu said changes in the judiciary "will certainly return to the forefront," adding that his government was "trying to reach understandings with the opposition on them."
Arab member of the Israeli Knesset Aida Touma-Suleiman commented on the general budget approved by the Knesset for 2023 and 2024 by saying that it strengthens the policies of occupation and settlement in the Palestinian territories.
Benny Gantz, leader of Israel's opposition National Unity Party, tweeted, "I understand that Netanyahu is drunk in power again after passing a budget that will explode in the faces of all of us."
Gantz, a former defense minister, added, "If the coup returns to the table, we will shake the country and stop it," referring to the controversial "judicial reform" plan.
More than two months ago, Netanyahu announced the suspension of "judicial reform" bills to allow for understandings with the opposition.
Since then, talks between the opposition and the government coalition have been held under the auspices of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, with no agreement in sight.
The opposition says these projects "aim to weaken the judiciary — especially Israel's Supreme Court — and turn Israel into a dictatorship."
For more than 21 weeks, the opposition has been staging unprecedented weekly protests across Israel demanding a halt to judicial amendments.