Israelis on the streets again over judicial reform

(Patria) - Thousands of Israelis demonstrated on Saturday in Tel Aviv and other cities against judicial reform by the far-right government, which opponents consider a threat to democracy.

The reform package has divided the nation and sparked one of the largest protest movements in Israel's history since it was introduced in January by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition, which includes far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties.

Protesters have kept up pressure on Netanyahu's government with weekly nationwide demonstrations. Several thousand protesters gathered on Saturday in the commercial heart of Tel Aviv, Israeli media reported. The government sees the reform, which would give politicians more power over the courts, as a necessary step to curb the overreach of unelected judges.

Opponents of the overhaul fear it could lead to a more authoritarian government. Parliament passed the first key component of the reform package last month, which limits judicial oversight of some government decisions.

Netanyahu, who is battling corruption charges in court, has said he would be willing to negotiate with the opposition, although previous mediation attempts have failed. In any case, the law will not pass before parliament returns from its summer break in October, AFP reports.