Protesters disrupt judicial overhaul architect’s visit to Tel Aviv book fair

Protesters against the coalition’s proposed judicial overhaul plans disrupted a book fair on Sunday attended by Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman, a leading architect of the government plan, forcing the lawmaker to leave early.

Rothman — who attended the Hebrew Book Week fair at Sarona Market in Tel Aviv to host a signing for his new book, “Why Should the People Select the Judges” — was greeted by chants of “democracy,” “shame” and “criminal” by demonstrators at the stand of the conservative publishing house Sella Meir.

Footage showed police forcefully pushing back and removing protesters from the fair.

Rothman was escorted by guards from the event earlier than expected due to the disruption.

Among the protesters were activists from the women’s rights advocacy group Bonot Alternativa, who dressed up as handmaids from Hulu’s hit “The Handmaid’s Tale” — drawing a link between concerns over future discrimination as a result of the overhaul and the dystopian society depicted in the story where subjugated women are forced to bear children for male leaders of a patriarchal society.

Responding to protesters’ calls for a rally at the event, Rothman said Saturday that “haters of democracy are afraid of books because books cause people to think on their own.”

“Agree, disagree, make notes in the margins, highlight key sentences with a marker, and more. It’s very difficult to brainwash with propaganda channels and one-word slogans when people think on their own,” he tweeted.

Rothman has attracted protests at many of his public appearances since embarking on the overhaul. The lawmaker caused a stir earlier this month when he was filmed forcefully seizing a protester’s megaphone in New York City.

Also during Sunday’s protest, a group of demonstrators flipped over a board advertising the Hebrew edition of “Irreversible Damage,” a controversial book — also published by Sella Meir — that says gender dysphoria is the result of peer pressure.

The launch of the book, originally published in the United States, attracted hundreds of demonstrators in Ramat Gan last month.

Tens of thousands of protesters rallied across the country for the 21st week in a row against the overhaul on Saturday night.

Months of talks at the President’s Residence on a compromise reform to the judicial system have not produced a breakthrough, and now appear to be frozen for the coming weeks as pressure is increasing within the coalition to resume the legislative push.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Sunday morning that his government would begin to unilaterally advance parts of the controversial bills, days after the opposition said it was freezing negotiations.

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

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.