Mass protests against reforms blocks roads and airport in Israel

• Demonstrators in Israel have blocked roadways.
• They attempted to stop Netanyahu from leaving the country.
• Due to judicial reforms, which have sparked divisions in Israeli society.

After widespread protests against divisive judicial reforms, demonstrators in Israel have blocked roadways and made an attempt to stop the prime minister from leaving the country.

Ben Gurion airport’s entry lanes were blocked by cars, and Benjamin Netanyahu’s flight to Rome was delayed.

The protests that have been going on for weeks are among the largest Israel has ever seen.

The government claims the planned changes are beneficial for the electorate, despite claims from critics that they will damage democracy.

Hundreds of demonstrators, many of whom carried placards with anti-reform messages and waved Israeli flags, gathered on Tel Aviv’s main thoroughfares, severely disrupting traffic.

According to the news paper, a line of police on horses watched as the protesters passed by as some shouted, “We’re also here for you,” to the officers.

In an effort to delay Mr. Netanyahu’s departure for Rome, convoys of vehicles began to build up as they approached the airport in the early morning.

Lloyd Austin, the US defense secretary, reportedly had to change his plans due to the protesters when he arrived at the airport on Thursday.

Several military reservists protested in Jerusalem outside the offices of a right-wing research tank that is in favor of change, while students in Haifa blocked one of the city’s main gates.

Seven reservists were detained, according to local media, after several blocked the office’s entry with sandbags.

In Israel, men are expected to serve in the military and perform reserve duty every year until they reach the age of 40.

About ten weeks ago, protests erupted against the judicial reforms, often drawing tens of thousands of people to the streets.

Reservists, who make up the core of Israel’s military, have threatened to refuse duty in order to express their objection to the issue, which has sparked enormous divisions in Israeli society.

In an unprecedented action, dozens of reserve jet pilots in an elite Israeli Air Force squadron announced on Monday that they would not be reporting for training.

In the end, they changed their minds and consented to meet with their leaders and have discussions there.

Withstanding the commotion, Mr. Netanyahu’s administration has asserted that the rallies are being instigated by political rivals.

Opponents claim that the proposed reforms, which are now moving through the legislature, will politicise the judiciary and may result in a totalitarian state.

According to Mr. Netanyahu, the reforms were approved by the Israeli public at the most recent election and are intended to prevent the courts from abusing their authority.

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