JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli protesters blocked highways leading to Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel Aviv on Tuesday, at the start of a day of protests across the country against the government’s planned judicial overhaul that has divided the nation.
The protests came the morning after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s parliamentary coalition gave initial approval to a bill aimed at limiting the Supreme Court’s oversight powers, advancing controversial proposed changes to the justice system despite a broad opposition.
The legislation is one of several proposed by Netanyahu’s ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox allies. The plan has prompted months of sustained protests from opponents who say it is pushing the country towards authoritarian rule.
Anti-revision activists called for mass protests across the country throughout the day, including protests at Israel’s main international airport that could disrupt travel.
Police cleared protesters who were blocking a main thoroughfare leading into Jerusalem with a water cannon and officers arrested several others who had obstructed a highway next to the central town of Modiin. Protesters blocked a major highway in Haifa with a large banner reading “together we will be victorious”, rumbling through traffic along the waterfront.
Netanyahu’s allies have proposed a series of changes to Israel’s judicial system aimed at weakening what they say are the excessive powers of unelected judges. Proposed changes include giving Netanyahu allies control over the appointment of judges and giving parliament the power to overturn court decisions.
Netanyahu suspended the overhaul plan in March after weeks of mass protests. But last month he decided to relaunch the plan after talks with the political opposition to find a compromise broke down.
The Netanyahu government, which took office in December, is the most ultra-nationalist and ultra-Orthodox in Israel’s 75-year history. His allies have proposed sweeping changes to the justice system after the country held its fifth elections in less than four years, all seen as a referendum on Netanyahu’s suitability for the premiership as he stands on trial for corruption.
Critics of the plan say it will upset the country’s fragile system of checks and balances and concentrate power in the hands of Netanyahu and his allies. They also say Netanyahu has a conflict of interest because he is on trial for fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes, which he has denied.
A broad swath of Israeli society, including reserve military officers, business leaders, LGBTQ+ and other minority groups, joined the protests.