Isaac Herzog, Israel's president, issued a statement Monday calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the legislative process of the judicial overhaul.
In the statement, Herzog appealed to the prime minister and wrote that "we have seen very difficult scenes tonight. I appeal to the Prime Minister, the members of the government and members of the coalition … For the sake of the unity of the people of Israel, for the sake of the responsibility we are obliged to, I call on you to stop the legislative process immediately."
Israeli protesters blocked main high way in Tel Aviv and some were arrested as part of nationwide demonstrations against judicial changes, Reuters reports.
Across Israel, protesters took to the streets and main roads, carrying Israeli flags and chanting 'democracy'. Near Tel Aviv's Ayalon high way, police scuffled with protesters and somer were arrested, and water canon was used to disperse the protesters.
In Jerusalem, protesters gathered near President's residency and chanted slogans.
The ruling coalition says the overhaul is aimed at pushing back against Supreme Court over-reach and restoring balance among branches of government.
Opposition and hundreds of thousands of Israelis who protest for over 10 weeks against the legislation, say it is meant to destroy the democratic foundations of the state of Israel in favour of Netanyahu's right-wink, religious coalition.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - on trial for corruption, which he denies - is under pressure from others in his ruling coalition who want him to proceed this week with a bill that would grant them more sway in selecting judges.
The judicial overhaul plan, announced on Jan. 4, has plunged Israel into its worst political crises in years, as mass protests have swept the country.
It has also stirred concern abroad and warnings about a serious economic backlash.
Despite Netanyahu's pledge this week to enshrine civil rights in law and defer some chapters of the overhaul during parliament's April recess, opposition does not seem to have weakened.
Israeli media said around 200,000 Israelis rallied against the plan in Tel Aviv on Saturday, with tens of thousands more across the country.
