Not satisfied by judicial reforms pause, Israelis continue protests, say revoke the bill

Despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pausing the controversial judicial reform plans, thousands of Israelis continued their protest for the 13th consecutive week condemning the right-wing government.

Protesters are now demanding that instead of suspending the legislation—which the experts believe will weaken the judiciary and see political interference in judges' appointment—the coalition government revoke the bill completely.

According to local media, at least 170,000 to 200,000 people demonstrated in Tel Aviv on Saturday, while tens of thousands more rallied in numerous cities across the country. Protest organisers even claimed that close to 400,000 people participated in the agitation.

Carrying Israeli flags, people marched through the centre of Israel’s commercial hub, chanting “democracy” and carrying placards condemning Netanyahu’s government.

Netanyahu on Monday suspended the passage of the legislation through parliament following a massivestrike that was triggered by his announcement that he was firing Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for supporting the protesters' demands.

By Tuesday, most of the parties huddled up to begin talks at theresidence of President Isaac Herzog to try to formulate legislation that would be acceptable to both sides of the political spectrum.

Israel protests continue despite Netanyahu's pause on judicial overhaul plans

PM Netanyahu's plan to have a say in the judicial appointments through his new bill triggered a massive reaction among industrialists, economists andformer security chiefs, saying that such a move would pushthe country towards autocracy. Even fighter pilots and military reservists threatened not to report for duty in protest, and the country’s currency, the shekel, tumbled in value.

Netanyahu arguesthat a judicial overhaul is needed in order to rein in "a liberal and overly interventionist" court of unelected judges. The opposition, however, says that the legislation would damage the country’s system of checks and balances by concentrating power in the hands of Netanyahu’s allies.

(With inputs from agencies)

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