In Israel, hundreds of thousands of residents on the evening of Saturday, March 18, came out to protest against the judicial reform that the authorities want to carry out. The Times of Israel writes about it.
Edition notesthat nationwide demonstrations are taking place in the country for the 11th week in a row. Protesters oppose government plans to weaken the judiciary. According to the newspaper, against the demonstrators in northern Israel, the police used water cannons.
Mass protests over judicial reform in Israel began in January 2023. 11th of March participated in the actions about 250 thousand people. The protesters believe that the reform will seriously weaken the independence of the judiciary. On February 21, the Knesset already approved in the first reading a bill concerning the first part of the government’s proposed judicial reform. The second and third readings are scheduled for the end of March 2023.
The bill is expected to limit the influence of the supreme court on the process of passing basic laws. Parliamentarians will be able to challenge the decisions of the Supreme Court, and the government will have control over the procedure for appointing judges.
