Aerial view shows powerful images from the protests against Benjamin Netanyahu's justice plans
Demonstrations against judicial reform plans by Netanyahu
Powerful images showed tens of thousands of Israelis joined demonstrations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Saturday for the eighth consecutive week against judicial reform plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government.
Protesters say the changes will threaten democratic checks and balances on ministers by the courts and accuse Netanyahu of trying to escape a legal case against him.
Protests in Israel and caused alarm
The government's plan has sparked nationwide protests in Israel and caused alarm among economists, former security officials and legal experts at home and abroad.
Critics say it undermines the courts' independence while handing the government unbridled power, which in turn would endanger minority rights, encourage corruption, isolate Israel diplomatically and wreak havoc on its economy.
Netanyahu says reforms will strengthen democracy
Netanyahu says the reforms will strengthen democracy and boost business. He has dismissed protesters as "anarchists" unwilling to accept the decisive right-wing victory in a Nov. 1 election.
The Knesset (parliament) passed the first reading of the first bill of the government’s proposed judicial reform by a vote of 63 for and 47 against after midnight on Tuesday (February 21).
Nationwide protests drew tens of thousands
Numerous opinion polls have shown a majority of Israelis against the government's planned judicial overhaul as it presently stands. Nationwide protests drew tens of thousands on Saturday.
Govt says reforms are designed to end overreach into politics
The government says the reforms are designed to end overreach into politics by an unrepresentative Supreme Court. Critics say Netanyahu seeks legal changes that will hurt Israel's democratic checks and balances, foster corruption and bring diplomatic isolation.
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