Jerusalem, Sep 11 (EFE).- Thousands of people were protesting in Israel on Monday, a day before a Supreme Court hearing that will review several appeals against the first law that was passed by parliament as part of unpopular justice reforms.
Critics say the reforms, which have been passed by parliament (Knesset) after being tabled by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government – the most right-wing in Israeli history – undermine the country’s democracy.
Hundreds gathered on Monday morning outside the home of justice minister Yariv Levin, the architect of the reforms.
Thousands protested outside the Supreme Court on Monday evening, with the march then expected to head to Netanyahu’s residence.
Smaller protests were also planned in other cities across the country.
POLITICAL REFORM
For the first time in Israel’s history, all 15 Supreme Court justices will attend a hearing together on Tuesday.
The aim will be to review appeals filed against a law passed by Parliament in July, which removed the highest court’s ability to review and overturn government decisions if deemed unreasonable.
This law, an amendment to one of Israel’s basic laws, is one of the pillars of the reform plan, which seeks to grant more power to the government to the detriment of the judiciary.
Since the government, which includes far-right and ultra-orthodox parties, announced the reforms in January, a historic protest movement has arisen, bringing together broad sectors of society – military, businessmen, feminists, employees of the high tech sector – who believe the reform deeply undermines the independence of the justice system.
The executive, on the other hand, argues that the law is necessary to prevent the Supreme Court from blocking decisions made by the elected government. EFE
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