Thousands demonstrate in Israel against Netanyahu’s judicial reform plans

JERUSALEM

Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in several cities on Monday against judicial reform plans by the Benjamin Netanyahu government.

Demonstrators waved Israeli flags and posters decrying what they call an attack on Israel’s democratic institutions.

According to the Times of Israel newspaper, opposition leader Yair Lapid, former Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Labor leader Merav Michaeli addressed the protesters in West Jerusalem.

"We will not stay quiet," Lapid said. "We will not stay quiet as they destroy everything that is precious and sacred to us."

The Jerusalem Post newspaper said that the number of demonstrators is expected to exceed one million across Israel.

Proposed by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the reforms, if enacted, would be the most radical change ever in the system of government in Israel.

The planned changes would severely limit the power of the Supreme Court of Justice, give the government the power to choose judges, and end the appointment of legal advisers to ministries by the attorney general.

However, Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, insists that his judicial plan would enhance democracy.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara