The mobilization against judicial reform is not weakening in Israel, with a new day "against the dictatorship" planning dozens of demonstrations across the country on Thursday, in particular around the international airport of Tel Aviv, whose access is blocked by protesters.
Around 11:30 a.m. local time, several hundred cars displaying Israeli flags blocked Ben-Gurion airport, forcing passengers wanting to enter or leave the terminals to walk with their suitcases, according to an AFP photographer on the spot.
Hundreds of gatherings
In a concert of horns, the demonstrators chant “
Democracy!
and “
Freedom
”, in the face of a large police force, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to fly away during the day for an official visit to Rome.
“
Bibi equals Putin
,” reads a sign held up by a protester comparing Binyamin Netanyahu to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In Tel Aviv, hundreds of people also carrying the Israeli flag began demonstrating before noon local time, surrounded by police on foot and on horseback in the center of the city.
“
We are here for you too
,” sing the demonstrators, some making a heart with their hands in the direction of the police, according to AFP journalists on the spot.
Read alsoBenyamin Netanyahu's perilous balancing act
Hundreds of rallies are planned across the country at the call of organizers of the judicial reform protest movement who urged Israelis to demonstrate and block roads during a "day of resistance to dictatorship" on
Thursday
.
“
The right of expression is not the door open to anarchy and must not disrupt the lives of citizens
,” said National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
“
It is forbidden to block the main traffic axes
,” he warned.
The right-wing and far-right coalition set up in December by Benyamin Netanyahu is trying to pass legislation that would give him the de facto power to appoint judges and would considerably limit the prerogatives of the Supreme Court, in particular in its ability to invalidate laws.
Since the announcement of the text in early January, massive demonstrations have taken place in the country.
According to its detractors, the text threatens the democratic character of the State of Israel.
But Benyamin Netanyahu and his Minister of Justice Yariv Levin consider it necessary to restore a balance of power between elected officials and the Supreme Court, which the Prime Minister and his allies consider politicized.
SEE
ALSO -
Israeli-Palestinian conflict: "Do not say that we are not doing anything", retorts Catherine Colonna