Israel sees one of its largest-ever protests

• Demonstrators went out in record numbers in towns such as Haifa.
• An estimated 200,000 are taking to the streets in Tel Aviv.
• Opponents argue that the reforms will erode democracy.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have taken part in what some are calling the country’s largest protest in history.

Protests have been ongoing for ten weeks against the government’s intentions for a major overhaul of the court system.

Demonstrators went out in record numbers in towns such as Haifa, with an estimated 200,000 taking to the streets in Tel Aviv.

Opponents argue that the reforms will erode democracy.

Yet, Benjamin Netanyahu‘s government claims that the planned adjustments are better for the electorate.

Organizers reported as many as 500,000 pro-democracy protestors took to the streets nationwide on Saturday, in what the Israeli Haaretz daily dubbed “the largest demonstration in the country’s history”.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid told crowds in the southern city of Be’er Sheva that the country was facing “the greatest crisis in its history”.

“A wave of terrorism is hitting us, our economy is crashing, money is escaping the country. Iran just signed yesterday a new agreement with Saudi Arabia. But the only thing this government cares about is crushing Israeli democracy,” he said.

Tamir Guytsabry, a protester in Tel Aviv told: “It’s not a judicial reform. It’s a revolution that [is] making Israel go to full dictatorship and I want Israel to stay a democracy for my kids.”

Protests over judicial reforms have drawn hundreds of thousands of people to the streets.

The reforms aim to give the elected government substantial influence over the selection of judges and limit the Supreme Court’s authority to rule against the administration or strike down legislation.

The topic has produced deep divisions in Israeli society, with reservists, the backbone of Israel’s military, threatening to refuse to serve as a form of protest.

In an unprecedented action, dozens of reserve jet pilots from an elite Israeli Air Force squadron announced on Monday that they would not report for training. They eventually changed their minds and agreed to meet with their leaders and hold talks.

Protesters blocked roadways and attempted to prevent Mr Netanyahu from leaving the country on Thursday. He later left for Rome.

The government has stayed steadfast in the face of the controversy, stating that political opponents are fueling the protests.

Opponents argue that the planned reforms, which are currently being debated in parliament, will politicize the judiciary and lead to an authoritarian regime.

Mr. Netanyahu claims that the reforms are intended to prevent the courts from exceeding their authority and that the Israeli public supported them in the past election.

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