Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv for protests now in their 10th week against plans by the hard-right government to curb the Supreme Court's powers, which critics see as a threat to judicial independence, Reuters reports.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who says his aim is to balance out branches of government, wields a parliamentary majority along with his religious-nationalist coalition allies.
Protesters say the changes will threaten democratic checks and balances on ministers by the courts and accuse Netanyahu of trying to escape a legal case against him.
Netanyahu is on trial on corruption charges which he denies.
The Knesset (parliament) passed the first reading of the first bill of the government’s proposed judicial reform by a vote of 63 for and 47 against after midnight on February 21.
The government says the reforms are designed to end overreach into politics by an unrepresentative Supreme Court. Critics say Netanyahu seeks legal changes that will hurt Israel's democratic checks and balances, foster corruption and bring diplomatic isolation.
