Thousands demonstrate in Israel in support of judicial overhaul

By Zain Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) – Thousands of supporters of judicial overhaul plans demonstrated outside the Supreme Court in West Jerusalem on Monday.

Around 10,000 demonstrators chanted slogans demanding the ruling coalition to advance the judicial reform bill in the Knesset (Israel’s parliament), The Jerusalem Post reported.

The mass protest was joined by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Earlier Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a delay to the controversial judicial reform plans.

“Out of national responsibility, out of the desire to prevent a rift in the nation, I decided to suspend the second and third readings of the law in this session of the Knesset, to give time to reach the same broad agreement on the legislation during the next Knesset,” Netanyahu said in a televised speech.

Israel has seen mass protests over the past 12 weeks against plans by the government for judicial reforms, which are seen by the opposition as a power grab in favor of the executive authority.

Netanyahu on Sunday fired Defense Minister Yaov Gallant after his call for a pause on the government's judicial overhaul plans.

Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, claims that his plans would enhance democracy and restore the balance between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government.

*Ikram Kouachi contributed to this report.