Roads shut, protesters gather around country as overhaul opponents turn up heat

8 July 2023, 7:08 pm

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Israelis protest against the judicial overhaul, outside Economy Minister Nir Barkat's home in Jerusalem, July 6, 2023. (Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90)

Demonstrators have begun assembling at rally locations around the country for the 27th weekend of protests against the government’s judicial shakeup, and as the temperature rises on the national conflict over the effort to curb the powers of the justice system.

Organizers are hoping for a show of force tonight as they voice increasing anger over the coalition’s plan to pass in its first Knesset reading Monday a bill to remove courts’ ability to judge the “reasonableness” of government decisions.

Tonight’s events are a prelude to Tuesday, when demonstrators are planning nationwide protests and disruptions as they vow to fight the legislation with every tool at their disposal.