Jerusalem: Protest demonstrations against the Israeli Prime Minister’s judicial overhaul showed no sign of dwindling on Saturday, despite its suspension by the besieged PM this week, as tens of thousands took to the roads and streets to demand it be scrapped completely.
Beset by the local turmoil and expressions of concern and displeasure in Washington, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Monday paused the overhaul to allow talks on a compromise between his extremist coalition government and opposition political parties, APF reported.
“We do not believe over Netanyahu. We think it is just a political stunt aimed at discontinuing the protests,”.
Protest demonstrations continue in Israel despite Prime Minister Netanyahu’s pause
One of the major points of contention is the government’s push for more power in appointing judges, including to the Supreme Court of the country.
Critics see the extremist government’s campaign as a threat to the independence of the judiciary and an attempt at a legal takeover. Advocates say it is seeking a less elitist, domineering bench.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, on trial on corruption charges he rejects, says legal reforms are needed to balance the different branches of the government.
Israeli media reported that over 150,000 people attended anti-government protest demonstrations countrywide on Saturday. We are going to win because we cannot live in a non-democratic state,” said protesters.
