Thousands of Israelis demonstrate against judicial overhaul plan for 15th week

JERUSALEM (AA) – Tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated on Saturday evening for the 15th consecutive week against controversial government plans for judicial overhaul.

According to Israeli Channel 12, more than 115,000 protesters demonstrated on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv in northern Israel. Protests were also reported in several other locations across the country.

Israel has seen mass protests in recent past weeks against plans by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for judicial reforms, seen by the opposition as an attempt to reduce powers of judicial authority in favor of executive.

Netanyahu, however, insists that his judicial plans would enhance democracy and restore the balance between the legislative, executive, and judicial powers.

On March 27, Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, bowed to pressure and announced a temporary halt to the judicial overhaul plans.

*Ikram Kouachi contributed to this report.