Israel: Large-scale demonstration in Tel Aviv against the government of Benjamin Netanyahu

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Demo in Tel Aviv

Photo: ABIR SULTAN / EPA

Tens of thousands of people protested again in Tel Aviv against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government.

For the third Saturday night in a row, the demonstrators gathered at several locations in the center of the Israeli coastal city.

Among other things, they waved Israeli flags.

Posters read "Stop the end of democracy" or pictures of Netanyahu with the words "Criminals".

Ex-Prime Minister Jair Lapid also attended the rally.

It is expected that the number of participants will continue to rise as the evening progresses.

Demonstrations were also announced in the cities of Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheba.

The protest was primarily directed against the government's intention to deliberately weaken the country's judicial system.

According to the plans of Justice Minister Jariv Levin, for example, a majority in parliament should be able to pass a law even if the Supreme Court considers it to be in violation of the Basic Law.

Levin also wants to change the composition of the panel that appoints judges.

The far-reaching changes could also play into Netanyahu's hands in his ongoing corruption trial.

This week's protests were fueled by a far-reaching ruling by the Supreme Court.

The judges ruled on Wednesday that Israel's interior and health minister, Arie Deri, should not remain in office.

The judges justified their judgment with the repeated conviction of Deri.

They also stated that last year in a court case for tax offenses he assured that he would withdraw from politics.

The new coalition had specifically amended a law so that Deri could become a minister despite his conviction.

The chairman of the strictly religious Schas party is considered a confidant of Netanyahu.

The re-elected Prime Minister had not yet officially commented on the verdict.

It was unclear whether he would resist this or whether Deri would be released.

Advocates of the planned judicial reform feel vindicated by the judgment against Deri.

For years they have accused the Supreme Court of excessive interference in political decisions.