Anti-government protests in Israel against the controversial legal reforms continued for the fifth week on Saturday (February 4) with thousands of demonstrators, braving the rain, swarming Tel Aviv's Kaplan Street, with signs criticising the establishment.

Anti-government protests in Israel against the controversial legal reforms continued for the fifth week on Saturday (February 4) with thousands of demonstrators, braving the rain, swarming Tel Aviv's Kaplan Street, with signs criticising the establishment. One of the signs labelled the government as a "threat to world peace," while another said "Save Israel's democracy from Netanyahu," news agency AFP reported early Sunday. On Saturday, protests were held in 20 cities across Israel and tens of thousands gathered in Tel Aviv alone, as per local media. However, the official turnout figures are not out yet. ALSO READ | At least 13 Palestinians injured in Israeli military raids at Jericho camp Speaking to AFP, Dania Shwartz, 44, from Ramat Gan said that protesters were "reclaiming" the Israeli flag. "If you look around there are a lot of Israeli flags and for many years the Israeli flag was a symbol of the right (wing)," Shwartz said. "We are patriots and we want this country to keep existing. The Israeli flag belongs to all of us, this is not a question of being right or left," she added. The 44-year-old, a member of the LGBTQ community, expressed concerns that the new government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would try to pass laws that would affect her children. "For example, the Noam party wants to delegitimise families like ours and it's very scary," Shwartz further told the news agency, referring to one of the government's coalition partners which is known for its anti-gay stance. The judicial reforms by the current government would enable the parliament to overrule any Supreme Court decision with a simple majority of 61 lawmakers in the 120-seat body. These proposed reforms would also change the system through which judges are appointed, giving politicians more control. Protesters, meanwhile, pointed out that the reforms would threaten democratic checks and balances on ministers by the courts. They also accused Netanyahu of trying to escape a legal case against him, the news agency Reuters reported. Ex-PM Yair Lapid joins protests Former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid took part in the demonstrations in Hafia where he said that protesters "came to save their country, and we came to protest with them. We will save our country because we are unwilling to live in an undemocratic country." Prime Minister Netanyahu has condemned the protests by saying they are a refusal by opposition leaders to accept the results of the election held in November last year. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Save Israel's democracy from Netanyahu': Anti-govt protests continue for fifth week

Massive protests erupted in Israel last weekend as thousands of people took to the streets to oppose judicial reforms being rolled out by the right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Around 100,000 protestors participated in the demonstrations held at Habima Square, while hundreds of people gathered in front of President Isaac Herzog's residence in Jerusalem. Protestors carried posters referring to the Netanyahu government as a government of shame. &nbsp;They accuse the ruling coalition of undermining democracy in Israel by giving the government more say in the appointment of the judges. The reforms will also make it easier for the government to overturn the Supreme Court’s ruling.

<h2>What are Netanyahu’s judicial reforms that have sparked protests in Israel?</h2>

The right-wing government of Netanyahu wants to establish an artificial majority in the panel that is responsible for appointing judges in the Supreme Court. Currently, there are 9 members on the panel, including two lawyers, two parliamentarians, two cabinet ministers and 3 Supreme Court judges. A minimum majority of 7-2 is required to get a judge appointed as a Supreme Court justice. Netanyahu government wants to completely overhaul this arrangement.&nbsp;

Under the proposed reforms, the panel will be expanded to 11. Under the new regime, one additional cabinet minister and parliamentarian will be seated on the panel. Also, now only one lawyer would be required to sit on the panel while the other person can be any “public figure.” Additionally, the majority mark has been reduced to just six votes, thus, giving the government an absolute majority in the appointment panel.

<h2>What is the Netanyahu-led ruling coalition saying to justify the new judicial reforms?</h2>

As per right-wing elements in the Netanyahu-led ruling coalition, the reforms are being rolled out to check Supreme Court’s “overreaching”. Member of Knesset from the Religious Zionism party, a part of the ruling coalition, Simcha Rothman argues that unelected officials should never have an upper hand in the appointment of the judges. The Zionist leader wants the will of the people to influence the appointment panel. On the question of the government overturning the court’s rulings, Rothman said that there was no law in Israel that “explicitly allows the High Court to exercise judicial review over legislation.” He stated that radical left-wing politicians and activists are using the current judicial system to enable their judicial activism in the country.

<h2>What are the anti-government protesters saying?</h2>

Protesters fear that the judicial reforms will enable the right-wing government of Israel to overrun checks and balances set in place by the Israeli constitution. Without worrying about challenges in Supreme Court, the government will be able to rush through legislation in the Knesset legalising settlements in the West Bank. Critics also say the reforms could be used to get the ongoing trial against Benjamin Netanyahu scrapped. Israeli leader Netanyahu is facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, although he vehemently denies these allegations.&nbsp;

Massive protests erupted in Israel last weekend as thousands of people took to the streets to oppose judicial reforms being rolled out by the right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Massive protests erupted in Israel last weekend as thousands of people took to the streets to oppose judicial reforms being rolled out by the right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Around 100,000 protestors participated in the demonstrations held at Habima Square, while hundreds of people gathered in front of President Isaac Herzog's residence in Jerusalem. Protestors carried posters referring to the Netanyahu government as a government of shame. They accuse the ruling coalition of undermining democracy in Israel by giving the government more say in the appointment of the judges. The reforms will also make it easier for the government to overturn the Supreme Court’s ruling. What are Netanyahu’s judicial reforms that have sparked protests in Israel? The right-wing government of Netanyahu wants to establish an artificial majority in the panel that is responsible for appointing judges in the Supreme Court. Currently, there are 9 members on the panel, including two lawyers, two parliamentarians, two cabinet ministers and 3 Supreme Court judges. A minimum majority of 7-2 is required to get a judge appointed as a Supreme Court justice. Netanyahu government wants to completely overhaul this arrangement. Under the proposed reforms, the panel will be expanded to 11. Under the new regime, one additional cabinet minister and parliamentarian will be seated on the panel. Also, now only one lawyer would be required to sit on the panel while the other person can be any “public figure.” Additionally, the majority mark has been reduced to just six votes, thus, giving the government an absolute majority in the appointment panel. What is the Netanyahu-led ruling coalition saying to justify the new judicial reforms? As per right-wing elements in the Netanyahu-led ruling coalition, the reforms are being rolled out to check Supreme Court’s “overreaching”. Member of Knesset from the Religious Zionism party, a part of the ruling coalition, Simcha Rothman argues that unelected officials should never have an upper hand in the appointment of the judges. The Zionist leader wants the will of the people to influence the appointment panel. On the question of the government overturning the court’s rulings, Rothman said that there was no law in Israel that “explicitly allows the High Court to exercise judicial review over legislation.” He stated that radical left-wing politicians and activists are using the current judicial system to enable their judicial activism in the country. What are the anti-government protesters saying? Protesters fear that the judicial reforms will enable the right-wing government of Israel to overrun checks and balances set in place by the Israeli constitution. Without worrying about challenges in Supreme Court, the government will be able to rush through legislation in the Knesset legalising settlements in the West Bank. Critics also say the reforms could be used to get the ongoing trial against Benjamin Netanyahu scrapped. Israeli leader Netanyahu is facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, although he vehemently denies these allegations.

Explained: What are Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial reforms that have sparked massive protests in Israel?

Power of pink: Locals protest against Netanyahu in Israel

Continuing months-long protests in the country, locals gathered outside the official residence of the&nbsp;Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem seeking his resignation from the post.

The roads outside&nbsp;Netanyahu's residence were jammed by nearly 1,000 protestors who marched demanding his resignation following allegations of corruption.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-accused-of-taking-dirty-laundry-to-white-house-330110">Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu accused of taking dirty laundry to White House</a>

Locals have been conducting weekly protests outside the PM's residence for the past few months. They are also protesting against the alleged strict and 'not necessary' coronavirus lockdown rules, which has left many locals jobless and without a minimum wage.

Israel has faced two nationwide, strict lockdowns to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. The protestors claim the&nbsp;Netanyahu government has left them high and dry by imposing a lockdown but not providing any financial security. Many claimed massive losses in business and job losses due to the stretched lockdowns. They complain that the government failed to initiate proper processes and planning for providing financial assistance to the sufferers of the lockdown in the pandemic.

These demonstrations have been ongoing for the past six months, and have now shrunk in number — which can be due to negative (or no) outcome and the advent arrival of the winter season that has sent chills down the spine of many people.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/israeli-scientists-go-backward-in-time-by-successfully-reversing-ageing-by-25-years-344816">Israeli scientists go 'backward in time' by successfully reversing ageing by 25 years</a>

While the number of protestors has seemingly decreased, the demonstrators present outside the PM's house were spotted wearing masks. However, people did not maintain the required social distance which attracted some criticism.

Many protestors held Israeli flags, and some were also spotted with pink flags — which has emerged as a popular symbol of protest in the country in the past few months.&nbsp;Others hoisted model submarines, a reference to a scandal over an Israeli purchase of German submarines in which several Netanyahu associates have been implicated.

The protestors are demanding&nbsp;Netanyahu's resignation from his long-reigning position of a Prime Minister, after he has been accused of corruption. The&nbsp;Defence Minister Benny Gantz, meanwhile, has ordered an investigation into this issue in the last week.

Continuing months-long protests in the country, locals gathered outside the official residence of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem seeking his resignation from the post.

Continuing months-long protests in the country, locals gathered outside the official residence of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem seeking his resignation from the post. The roads outside Netanyahu's residence were jammed by nearly 1,000 protestors who marched demanding his resignation following allegations of corruption. Also read| Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu accused of taking dirty laundry to White House Locals have been conducting weekly protests outside the PM's residence for the past few months. They are also protesting against the alleged strict and 'not necessary' coronavirus lockdown rules, which has left many locals jobless and without a minimum wage. Israel has faced two nationwide, strict lockdowns to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. The protestors claim the Netanyahu government has left them high and dry by imposing a lockdown but not providing any financial security. Many claimed massive losses in business and job losses due to the stretched lockdowns. They complain that the government failed to initiate proper processes and planning for providing financial assistance to the sufferers of the lockdown in the pandemic. These demonstrations have been ongoing for the past six months, and have now shrunk in number — which can be due to negative (or no) outcome and the advent arrival of the winter season that has sent chills down the spine of many people. Also read| Israeli scientists go 'backward in time' by successfully reversing ageing by 25 years While the number of protestors has seemingly decreased, the demonstrators present outside the PM's house were spotted wearing masks. However, people did not maintain the required social distance which attracted some criticism. Many protestors held Israeli flags, and some were also spotted with pink flags — which has emerged as a popular symbol of protest in the country in the past few months. Others hoisted model submarines, a reference to a scandal over an Israeli purchase of German submarines in which several Netanyahu associates have been implicated. The protestors are demanding Netanyahu's resignation from his long-reigning position of a Prime Minister, after he has been accused of corruption. The Defence Minister Benny Gantz, meanwhile, has ordered an investigation into this issue in the last week.

Thousands rally outside Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu's residence

Thousands of Israelis protested against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem over his alleged corruption and the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.