Israelis rally for fifth week against judicial reform plans

On February 4, tens of thousands of Israelis protested for a fifth week against judicial reform plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government.
The judicial reforms would allow Israel’s parliament to overrule Supreme Court decisions with a simple majority of 61 lawmakers in the 120-seat body. The proposed reforms would also change the system through which judges are appointed.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid says, “We will fight here in the streets, in the Knesset, in the courts. We will save our country.” Meanwhile, the mayor of Tel Aviv Ron Huldai said protesters “are fighting for the home… a Hebrew state.” He said that “if the words end, the actions will begin.”
PM Netanyahu says the current Supreme Court is an “activist court” and that there is excessive legislation, litigation and regulation, which hurts the Israeli economy. He says protesters are demonstrating against “democratic reforms” and that he was elected on a platform which included judicial reforms.