'Day of Resistance': Israelis block streets in protest against judicial overhaul

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli protesters on Tuesday blocked streets in several areas as part of the "Day of Resistance" demonstrations against the government's plan to overhaul the justice system.

According to Israeli media, the "Day of Resistance" demonstrations will continue until this evening, and include protests in the streets and at train stations, with thousands of Israelis expected to participate in them.

"Demonstrators closed a section of Kaplan Street to traffic in Tel Aviv, and the road linking Tel Aviv and Haifa was closed in both directions," the Israel Broadcasting Authority said.

It also said a group of protesters also stormed the stock exchange building in the city of Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv.

The Israeli police said seven protesters were arrested on suspicion of "violating public order."

Israel has been in political turmoil in recent months over the planned judicial reform, which the opposition has called a power grab in favor of executive authority.

The Israeli opposition accuses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges, of using the judicial overhaul to protect himself from the courts.

Netanyahu denies the charges and rejects any link between the judicial changes and his own case.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat