Protest against judicial reform takes place in Jerusalem

Tens of thousands of protesters took part in the march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The protest march took place from Tuesday to Saturday. On Saturday evening, protesters set up camp near the Knesset, the government of Israel.

The police estimated the number of protest participants at 35-40 thousand people. According to the Jerusalem Post, demonstrations in Jerusalem took place throughout Sunday. Protests against judicial reform will take place in about 150 other places across the country: in Haifa, Ramat Hasharon, Nes Ziyon and other cities.

At the end of the march, he was joined by former justice ministers and current owners of Israeli businesses. Protest groups made up of high-tech workers, lawyers, scientists, medical professionals and others have announced they will join demonstrations in Jerusalem on Sunday.

“We will not give up or give in to the government's attempts to stop the protests. Until Netanyahu stops this revision [of laws], we will be here. We invite everyone who participated in the march to Jerusalem to join us,” said students from the protest movement before the construction of a tent camp near the Knesset.

Context

• The most right-wing government in the entire history of the state was formed in Israel at the end of December by the newly elected Prime Minister, politician Benjamin Netanyahu.

• He has already served as the country's prime minister from 1996 to 1999 and from 2009 to 2021. He also served as Israel's finance minister and defense minister during his political career.

• In 2019, Netanyahu was charged with breach of trust, accepting bribes and fraud. The trial of the prime minister has been ongoing since 2020.

• Rallies against the new cabinet of ministers led by Prime Minister Netanyahu and his judicial reform have been continuing in Israel since January. Protesters and the opposition believe Netanyahu is pushing the reform to protect himself and his position as prime minister amid his ongoing trial.