Israel’s Netanyahu to shorten visit to Germany amid protests against judicial overhaul

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday decided to shorten his official visit to Germany amid protests against his government’s plan for judicial overhaul.

According to the Israeli public broadcaster KAN, Netanyahu's decision was made after conducting security consultations with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and security officials.

Netanyahu is set to fly to Berlin later on Wednesday for a one-day visit before returning back to Israel on Thursday.

Protesters have called for blocking Netanyahu’s way to the airport for his trip to Germany.

In the past two months, thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to protest Netanyahu’s plans for judicial overhaul, seen by the opposition as an attempt to reduce the powers of the judicial authority in favor of the executive authority.

Proposed by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the reform, if enacted, would be the most radical change ever in the system of government in Israel.

The planned change would severely limit the power of the Supreme Court of Justice, give the government the power to choose judges, and end the appointment of legal advisers to ministries by the attorney general.

However, Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, insists that his judicial plan would enhance democracy.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar