Tens of Thousands Rally Against Netanyahu’s Plan to Limit Supreme Court Power

Israel’s hard-right government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is pushing forward with a sweeping judicial overhaul that has sparked the largest protests in recent history. On Monday, the Knesset’s constitution, law, and justice committee voted on two controversial bills: one that would grant politicians greater control over the appointment of Supreme Court justices, and another that would enable the Knesset to override almost any Supreme Court ruling with a simple majority. The bills are set to go to the Knesset for further readings, though the timing of the votes remains unclear.

The proposed changes have ignited intense opposition from diverse sectors of Israeli society. In a rare show of unity, ultra-Orthodox Jews, military veterans, tech industry workers, and other groups have taken to the streets to protest the reforms. They fear that these measures will erode Israel’s democracy and push the country toward authoritarianism, drawing comparisons to recent shifts in Hungary, Poland, and Turkey.

The protests reached a peak on Monday, coinciding with the committee votes. Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered outside the Knesset in Jerusalem, some arriving by train, bus, and car. In addition to the protests, workers across several industries, including healthcare and tech, went on strike. Demonstrators blocked major highways, and around 1,000 children and their parents marched through Tel Aviv, while others participated in rallies in other cities. Police estimated that around 100,000 people had gathered by midday, though organizers put the number closer to 250,000.

Among the protesters was 26-year-old Ron Sheiman, who voiced his concern about the proposed judicial reforms, saying, “If the Supreme Court is not independent, there will not be any balances on parliament.” Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid also addressed the crowd, asserting that while the government may dismiss the protests, they are clearly rattled by the public outcry.

Netanyahu’s controversial judicial changes come after years of political instability, with his return to power in December at the head of the most right-wing coalition in Israel’s history. While proponents of the reforms argue that they are needed to restore balance among the branches of government, critics believe the changes will undermine democratic checks and balances. Furthermore, Netanyahu’s push for legal reforms could help him avoid a conviction in his ongoing corruption trial, which he denies.

Despite widespread opposition to the overhaul, polling suggests it has little public support among centrist and liberal Israelis, fueling the anger seen in the streets. Shila Nati, 56, who attended the protest in Jerusalem, expressed her frustration: “I don’t know how much power we have as protesters but this is the only thing I can do as a citizen.”