Israelis stage giant protest against Netanyahu court reform

• Organizers claim they are preventing a “coup” against the government.
• Four cities have seen mass protests for the second week.
• Yaara Ben Geraluf, a teacher from Jaffa, a western coastal suburb, called this regime hazardous.

Israelis stage giant protest.

Israel’s largest antigovernmental protest in a decade drew 110,000 people to Tel Aviv.

Banners calling for the demise of Israel’s most right-wing and religious-nationalist coalition spread across the city center.

Yaara Ben Geraluf, a teacher from Jaffa, a western coastal suburb, called this regime hazardous.

“This government will not be good for women, LGBTQ, disadvantaged people, and of course Palestinians.

Organizers claim they are preventing a “coup” against the government.

Four cities have seen mass protests for the second week.

“People who love the country” came to Tel Aviv, said opposition leader Yair Lapid.

“We’ll fight till we win,” he declared.

Three weeks after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power to create Israel’s first stable government in three years. He stated Israelis voted for “complete” right-wing government and security.

One far-right party in his alliance was convicted of anti-Arab racism, while another is openly homophobic and misogynistic.

In an unusual conflict between the new government and Israel’s judiciary, protesters accuse Mr. Netanyahu of jeopardizing democracy.

The coalition’s measures would allow it to overrule courts that strike down future laws. Opponents claim this threatens Israel’s democratic checks and balances.

Mr. Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, is also accused of trying to control the judges to avoid prison.

Protesters also strongly oppose a coalition of far-right racist, homophobic, and anti-Palestinian groups.

The administration declared “exclusive” Jewish rights to “all areas,” including the occupied Palestinian lands, upon taking office.

Tel Aviv interior designer Tal Meidan hoisted a placard calling Netanyahu and two ultra-nationalist friends “the cats seeking to grab the cream”.

“I think what they are doing is morally and ethically wrong.

“We sacrificed a lot to get here. I don’t want my kids to join the military now “remarked.

“I want my four kids to live in a state where we, Arabs, and gays are equal. Unfortunately, we won’t raise them here “said.

Protesters disagree.

The religious-nationalist far-right and purely religious parties make about half the coalition, and many oppose what they regard as an unprecedented attack on the legal system and secular life in Israel.

Others protested Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian Territories, but they were in the minority. One protester fought another over Palestinian flags.

Netanyahu says protesters are defying voters.

“Two months ago, the biggest demonstration ever took place. Millions voted in elections on the streets “last week.

“They voted on judicial reform.”

Adding, “We never called for civil war or state destruction when in opposition. Opposition leaders should follow suit.”

The protests revive Israel’s secular-religious and liberal-nationalist divides.

Protesters have filled Tel Aviv’s streets, but they’ve been marginalized in Israel. Polls show Israelis have shifted right.

As partners have fled him, Benjamin Netanyahu has become more dependent on Israel’s most radical religious-nationalist bloc. He is under trial for corruption, making him the weakest premier.

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