‘Government is trampling democracy’: Thousands protest judicial overhaul in Jerusalem

Thousands protest against the judicial overhaul at a demonstration in Paris Square in central Jerusalem, near the prime minister’s official residence, having marched there from their usual Saturday night gathering point outside the President’s Residence.

Organizer Tovah Sheleg quotes Yohanathan Geffen saying in one of his final interviews saying that the demonstrations must continue, and not to lose hope.

Former Likud minister Limor Livnat says the coalition is attempting regime change and to “castrate the high court.”

She quotes former Likud prime minister Menachem Begin championing the independence of the courts and their ultimate authority to protect individual rights.

Livnat says she remains a right-winger and will always be. “But the Likud is no longer my home.”

Dr. Tali Sela, whose brother was killed fighting in Lebanon in 1993 says, “The government is breaching its contract with its soldiers. My brother gave his life on the basis of that contract – that Israel is a democracy… The government is trampling democracy, trampling the values of its citizens.”

“For the sake of those who gave their lives for this country, I cannot be silent,” she says.