Shikma Bressler

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a press conference at the Ministry of Defense, in Tel Aviv on October 28, 2023. (Dana Kopel/POOL)

November 1, 2023, 2:56 pm

Protest leaders, ex-security chiefs step up calls for Netanyahu to resign amid war

After a period of political moderation, critics say Netanyahu not fit or capable to lead country during war

Shikma Bressler, a leader of the protest movement against the government's judicial overhaul, arrives with bodyguards at the weekly protest in Tel Aviv on September 30, 2023. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP)

October 5, 2023, 2:29 pm

Protest leader vows not to let coalition ‘take democracy away,’ predicts its collapse

Physicist Shikma Bressler, who has become a leading face of the anti-overhaul rallies, warns of choice between ‘tyranny’ or system ‘that will ensure our liberal democratic values’

By Jay Deshmukh

Likud MK Tally Gotliv attends a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on September 26, 2023. (Chaim Goldbergl/Flash90)

October 3, 2023, 10:40 pm

Mossad denies Likud MK’s claim that spy chief met with anti-overhaul protest leader

Renegade lawmaker Tally Gotliv says she heard about purported meeting between David Barnea and Shikma Bressler from ‘reliable source’; Mossad calls assertion ‘complete fake news’

By ToI Staff

Protest leader Shikma Bressler at a demonstration against the government's judicial overhaul, in Tel Aviv, on September 9, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

September 10, 2023, 12:54 am

Netanyahu rips into protest leader who said no compromise talks with ‘Nazis’

Shikma Bressler apologizes for remark directed at far-right parties; protest organizers dismiss Netanyahu’s criticism as ‘hypocrisy’

By ToI Staff

Protesters rally against the coalition's judicial overhaul legislation, in Tel Aviv, September 2, 2023. (Gitai Palti)

September 9, 2023, 1:51 pm

Masses expected at 36th week of anti-overhaul protests ahead of key court showdown

Thousands take part in 3-day ‘democracy march’ in north; protest leader Shikma Bressler apologizes for using the word ‘Nazis’ in apparent reference to far-right coalition elements

By ToI Staff

A photo released by police on August 19, 2023, shows cut marks on a Palestinian detainee's face that the force alleges was caused by an officers boot. A lawyer for the suspect alleges police branded him with a Star of David. (Israel Police)

August 20, 2023, 10:35 am

Court releases Palestinian suspect that cops allegedly branded with Star of David

Alleged drug dealer was unduly detained and suffered severe violence, judge says about the unusual move; suspect to stay under house arrest

By Canaan Lidor

Anti-overhaul protesters march on Tel Aviv's Kaplan Street, August 5, 2023. (Michel Braunstein)

August 5, 2023, 1:50 pm

‘Our hope is not yet lost’: Mass protests against judicial overhaul enter 31st week

Demonstrations being held at over 150 locations nationwide; protest leaders point to Netanyahu’s refusal to say he’d abide by a court ruling striking down reasonableness law

By ToI Staff

An anti-overhaul protest in Tel Aviv on July 29, 2023. (Amir Goldstein)

July 29, 2023, 11:28 pm

‘Damage is enormous’: Over 200,000 at first weekend rallies since overhaul law passed

Protest leader Bressler: ‘Masks have finally come off’ with 1st law’s enactment; ex-central bank chief Frenkel: ‘Government must come to its senses’; car rams protester in Tel Aviv

By ToI Staff

Pro- and anti-overhaul demonstrators hold prayers at the Western Wall, in Jerusalem, July 23, 2023. (Charlie Summers/The Times of Israel)

July 23, 2023, 1:20 pm

Activists on both sides of overhaul debate hold mass Western Wall prayer for unity

Ahead of Tisha B’Av, organizers of gathering and subsequent march in Jerusalem plead with sparring parties to think of the destruction brought on by discord

By Canaan Lidor and Charlie Summers

Demonstrators march with Israeli flags along a highway near Tel Aviv during a protest against the Israeli government's judicial overhaul on July 18, 2023. (JACK GUEZ / AFP)

July 19, 2023, 5:45 am

Hoping to head off ‘reasonableness’ bill, protesters begin 4-day march to Jerusalem

Hundreds of activists, including protest leaders, spend night at Ariel Sharon Park, urge more to join as group makes way to capital in time for vote on controversial legislation

By ToI Staff

Israelis protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system in Tel Aviv, July 15, 2023. (AP/Ariel Schalit)

July 15, 2023, 10:59 pm

Protesters stage 28th weekly mass rallies ahead of ‘critical week’ in overhaul fight

Over 150,000 estimated at main protest in Tel Aviv; Lapid vows not to let coalition ‘carry out a hostile takeover of Israeliness’ by passing ‘reasonableness’ bill into law

By ToI Staff

A demonstrator from the 'Pink Front' group lights a flare while others in a marching band perform with drums during a protest against the Israeli government's judicial overhaul plan in Tel Aviv on July 8, 2023. (JACK GUEZ / AFP)

July 8, 2023, 9:24 pm

As rallies surge, protesters warn leaders ‘will learn what happens when we’re angry’

140K in Tel Aviv; all-night demo at Gallant’s home; Yuval Noah Harari: ‘If you pass a single bill, we’ll oppose you with every non-violent means we have’; doctors warn of strikes

By ToI Staff

Israelis block the Ayalon Highway during a protest against the Israeli government's planned judicial overhaul and in response to the removal of Tel Aviv District Commander Amichai Eshed in Tel Aviv, July 5, 2023 (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

July 8, 2023, 12:15 pm

Protests ramp up for 27th week as bill to curtail judicial oversight set for 1st vote

Demonstrations being held nationwide Saturday night as 1st piece of overhaul legislation set for initial Knesset vote on Monday; Yuval Noah Harari among speakers at Tel Aviv rally

By ToI Staff

Travelers on their way to Ben Gurion Airport, where flights were delayed due to protesters blocking the road to the airport, March 9, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

June 27, 2023, 7:05 pm

Protest leaders vow to ramp up anti-government demonstrations, blockade airport

Activists plan to rally at Ben Gurion Airport Monday, as tourism minister seeks to stop them; Air Force reservists say they will refuse to show up for duty if overhaul advances

By ToI Staff

Israelis hold up national flags and placards as they protest the hard-right government's controversial judicial reform plans, in Tel Aviv on June 10, 2023. (JACK GUEZ / AFP)

June 10, 2023, 10:39 pm

‘Not the time for a time-out’: Mass anti-overhaul protests held for 23rd week

Smaller turnout as 74,000-80,000 attend main Tel Aviv rally ahead of key vote on judicial selection panel; Hungary protest leader: Don’t let democracy erode like in my home country

By ToI Staff