Demonstrations demanding judicial reform in Israel continue unabated.
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Despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to temporarily halt a controversial plan to reform the judiciary, protests continued against the government’s proposal on Saturday.
Tens of thousands took part in the main protest, which took place in downtown Tel Aviv, while smaller demonstrations took place across the country.
Protest organizers, who have organized these weekly protests for more than three months, aim to maintain the momentum and increase pressure on Netanyahu and his government until the proposed changes are reversed.
Bowing to the mass protests, Netanyahu paused reform plans in March, saying he wanted to “avoid civil war”.
The plan would give Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges, and his allies in Israel’s more hawkish government the final say in appointing the country’s judges.
It also gives parliament, which is controlled by its allies, the power to overturn Supreme Court decisions and limit the court’s ability to review laws.
Opponents say it will destroy the system of checks and balances by concentrating power in the hands of Netanyahu and his allies in parliament. They also say that Netanyahu has a conflict of interest at the time he is on trial.