Thousands demonstrate in Israel against Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul plan

JERUSALEM

Thousands of Israelis demonstrated on Saturday for the 14th consecutive week against controversial government plans for a judicial overhaul.

Demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv's Kaplan Street area to protest the judicial overhaul plans and a decision to form a "National Guard” force under far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported.

Other protests were reported in the northern city of Haifa, Jerusalem, and Beersheba in southern Israel.

Last month, the Israeli government agreed to give the National Guard force to Ben-Gvir in exchange for his supporting the judicial reform plans.

Israel has seen mass protests in recent past weeks against plans by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for judicial reforms, seen by the opposition as a power grab in favor of the executive.

Netanyahu, however, insists that his judicial plans would enhance democracy and restore the balance between the legislative, executive, and judicial powers.

On March 27, Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, bowed to pressure and announced a temporary halt to the judicial overhaul plans.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar