Hundreds protest overhaul in Rehovot ahead of PM’s visit

Hundreds of protesters demonstrated against the government’s judicial overhaul plans in Rehovot Wednesday, ahead of a visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to alternative meat company Steakholder.

Protesters carried Israeli flags, cried “shame” and “democracy or rebellion” and called for Netanyahu’s imprisonment.

Mounted police were deployed, in addition to a water cannon.

Protests against the government’s plans to shackle the country’s judiciary have entered their 15th week.

The demonstrations have continued even after Netanyahu suspended the legislative process and as talks are held at the President’s Residence for a potential compromise deal on the legislation.

Dozens also protested outside the home of Yitzhak Mirilashvili, the controlling shareholder of Channel 14, in Herzliya on Wednesday. Critics widely consider the channel to be a Netanyahu mouthpiece.

רחובות pic.twitter.com/4JW0roEUhq

— Nimrod Eshed (@NimrodEshed) April 19, 2023

Meanwhile, dozens of pro-overhaul demonstrators marched from Tel Aviv’s Sarona Mall to the home of former Supreme Court president Aharon Barak on Wednesday.

Supporters of the government’s proposals often target Barak as the instigator of decades of intervention by Israel’s top court, which they say has relentlessly overruled the country’s elected politicians via abuse of its authority, thus necessitating the overhaul to radically reduce its power.

“May God strike you,” one of the protesters was heard shouting at Barak through a megaphone.

״שאלוהים יכה בך״. הפגנה ממש עכשיו על דלת ביתו של אהרן ברק. אדם בן 86, שמגיעים להלך איימים עליו ועל אישתו המבוגרת שלא בקו הבריאות. הפגנה שאירגנו אם תרצו. טיפת מוסר. בושה. pic.twitter.com/yq6BMMgHXn

— נריה קראוס Neria Kraus (@NeriaKraus) April 19, 2023

Netanyahu’s coalition’s judicial overhaul proposals aim to weaken the court’s ability to serve as a check on parliament, as well as give the government almost absolute control over the appointment of judges.

Critics say the plans will politicize the court, remove key checks on governmental power and cause grievous harm to Israel’s democratic character. Proponents of the measures say they will rein in a judiciary that they argue has overstepped its bounds.

The attorney general has warned that the coalition’s current package of legislation would hand the government virtually unrestrained power, without providing any institutional protections for individual rights.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.