Downsized anti-overhaul rallies held amid ongoing Gaza rocket threat

Hundreds at Tel Aviv march, 5,000 attend rally in Haifa, as main organizers cancel events in center and south of country on fifth day of conflict with Islamic Jihad

By ToI Staff 13 May 2023, 9:05 pm Edit
  • Protesters against the government's judicial overhaul plans in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2023. (JACK GUEZ/AFP)
    Protesters against the government's judicial overhaul plans in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2023. (JACK GUEZ/AFP)
  • Protesters against the government's judicial overhaul plans in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
    Protesters against the government's judicial overhaul plans in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
  • Protesters against the government's judicial overhaul plans in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
    Protesters against the government's judicial overhaul plans in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
  • Protesters against the government's judicial overhaul plans in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
    Protesters against the government's judicial overhaul plans in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
  • Protesters against the government's judicial overhaul plans in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
    Protesters against the government's judicial overhaul plans in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
  • Protesters against the government's judicial overhaul plans in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
    Protesters against the government's judicial overhaul plans in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
  • Protesters against the government's planned judicial overhaul at Goma Junction, northern Israel, on May 13, 2023. (Ayal Margolin/Flash90)
    Protesters against the government's planned judicial overhaul at Goma Junction, northern Israel, on May 13, 2023. (Ayal Margolin/Flash90)
  • Protesters against the government's judicial overhaul plans in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2023. (Jack Guez/AFP)
    Protesters against the government's judicial overhaul plans in Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2023. (Jack Guez/AFP)

Demonstrations on Saturday were held for the 19th week straight against the government’s controversial judicial reforms, though turnout was far lower than usual after protest organizers canceled official rallies in the south and center of the country due to ongoing fighting between Israel and Gaza terrorists.

In Tel Aviv, where the main rally tends to attract over 100,000 people weekly, several hundred protesters gathered at Dizengoff Square for a march down Kaplan Street, according to the Ynet news site.

The crowd later swelled, and blocked Azrieli Junction, where police made efforts to disperse them.

In northern Israel, 5,000 marched in a rally in Haifa, and around 1,000 people rallied at Nahalal Junction. Smaller rallies were held in other towns and interchanges as well.

“Rain or sunshine, hot or cold, during war or peace, we’re here,” said Shikma Bressler, one of the leaders of the protest movements at the Nahalal protest. “We understand well the only danger that really threatens the existence of the state of Israel is the judicial overhaul.”

Police arrested two protesters at a rally in Karkur Junction for interrupting traffic.

Anti-government protesters have gathered in Tel Aviv every Saturday night for the past 19 weeks since the government announced its plan to overhaul the judiciary. Though the plan is now paused as the coalition and opposition hold negotiations for a potential compromise reform plan, many in the coalition have warned they could push forward with the effort to curb the courts, and weekly rallies have continued.

Up until March, the coalition moved at high speed with legislation that will bring most judicial appointments under government control and curb the oversight powers of the High Court of Justice.

Critics say the overhaul will sap the High Court of Justice of its power to act as a check and balance against parliament, dangerously eroding Israel’s democratic character. Supporters say the legislation is needed to rein in what they see as an over-intrusive court system.

Protest organizers said Friday they called off the main rally, “out of responsibility for the safety [of protesters].” Dissenting voices nevertheless urged citizens to turn up, even in the absence of the main stage and speeches at Kaplan.

The Crime Minister protest group accused the government of launching the Gaza operation in order to bolster its flagging support among the public.

Authorities on Friday also canceled a Saturday concert of ’90s boy band the Backstreet Boys in the central city of Rishon Lezion due to the threat of rocket attacks.

The decision came a day after Israeli rock star Aviv Geffen played a show in Tel Aviv’s HaYarkon Park despite the threat of rocket fire from Gaza, with an estimated 40,000 people attending.

That decision had come under some criticism as well, but Geffen said authorities had okayed the performance and told attendants: “No one will silence Israel, ever!”

The Israel Defense Forces said Saturday morning that Palestinians in the Gaza Strip had launched 1,234 rockets and mortars at Israel since the beginning of Operation Shield and Arrow on Tuesday.

According to the military, at least 976 of the projectiles crossed the border, while 221 fell short in Gaza — with some of them believed to have killed four Palestinians.

The IDF said air defense systems — Iron Dome and the medium-range David’s Sling — intercepted 373 of the rockets, marking a 91 percent interception rate of projectiles heading for populated areas. Several rockets have landed within towns, killing one and injuring several others, as well as causing extensive damage.

The rest landed in open areas without causing damage, according to the IDF. Most rockets targeted towns in southern Israel, but some reached as far north as Tel Aviv.

International mediators have been working toward a ceasefire between the sides.

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