Israeli students in Jerusalem blocked a road and scuffled with police on Thursday (March 23) during a nation-wide "day of shutdown" which saw dozens of protests across the country, some violent, against the government's overhaul of the court system, Reuters reports.
Chanting and banging the drums, around 2,000 protesters marched through the city streets and blocked a roadway near the Israeli president's residence.
They then marched at the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and scuffled with police as they tried to break through security barriers.
The protests intensified a months-long campaign decrying the move.
Police detained dozens of protestors for public disturbance across the country.
The protests have escalated since the start of the year when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-right government introduced new legislation that would limit the authority of the Supreme Court.
The plan has stirred concern for Israel's democratic health at home and abroad.
Military reservists have joined the protests and senior officials in the Finance Ministry warned this week of an economic backlash.
Netanyahu - on trial for corruption charges he denies - says the judicial overhaul is needed to restore balance between the branches of government. Critics say it will weaken Israel's democracy and hand uncontrolled powers to the government of the day.
