Conflicts & War

12 arrested at fresh protests against Israel’s planned judicial overhaul

Jerusalem, Mar 23 (EFE).- Police in Israel have detained 12 people as thousands took to the streets on Thursday to protest against the far-right government’s controversial judicial reforms, which critics say they threaten democracy.

The rallies across several locations come shortly after the parliament passed new legislation that protects prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu — under trial on corruption charges — from being declared unfit for office, as part of the planned overhaul of the justice system.

According to local media, the number of protesters is expected to reach 500,000 throughout the day amid an outcry over reforms that have brought thousands out onto the streets and garnered criticism abroad since January.

People demonstrated and set up roadblocks outside the private homes of members of the coalition government, including that of Aryeh Deri, the leader of the Shas party who was deemed ineligible to hold a ministerial post due to his repeated convictions.

Netanyahu’s planned reforms have sparked the largest protests in Israel’s history for 12 consecutive weeks.

If approved, the reforms would allow a simple parliamentary majority to overturn Supreme Court rulings, change the composition of the judge selection committee and restrict the Supreme Court from reviewing and changing basic laws. EFE

jma/smq/jt

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