Day of Disruption: Nationwide protests in Israel against judicial overhaul
Day of Disruption: Nationwide protests in Israel against judicial overhaul
Demonstrators gather at key locations, including airports worldwide, to voice concerns over government's move to limit Supreme Court power
Protesters took to the streets on Tuesday as part of the "Day of Disruption," a widespread movement against the Israeli government's proposed judicial overhaul. Erecting tents on major routes from Herzlia to Tel Aviv, and blocking entrances to Haifa and Jerusalem, demonstrators expressed their dissent following the coalition's first reading of a bill aimed at restricting the Supreme Court's authority in ruling on executive decisions. Late on Monday, the bill successfully passed the initial stage of legislation with a 64 to 56 majority vote.
According to the Israeli police, at least 70 individuals were arrested for clashing with law enforcement and violating public order since the protests started in the early morning.
The focal point of the protests will be the Ben-Gurion International Airport, the country's main gateway, where a main demonstration is scheduled for 4 pm. An estimated 84,000 people are expected to pass through the airport on 499 flights, making it a symbolic location for dissent. However, the Airport Authority has made preparations to handle the anticipated influx of tens of thousands of protesters and has decided to prohibit their entry into the main terminal building.
In a show of solidarity, demonstrations will also be held at airports around the world, including New York, San Francisco, Washington, Seattle, London, Paris, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, Amsterdam, and Zurich. Activists from Israel's UnXeptable Movement, a group of expatriates opposing the government, will distribute leaflets outlining their concerns about what they perceive as a departure from a democratic regime in Israel.
In addition to the airport protests, main routes leading into cities and major highways will witness demonstrators gathering from the early morning hours. This grassroots movement aims to draw attention to the government's push for the judicial overhaul.
These protests have been ongoing for the past 27 weeks since Justice Minister Yariv Levin initially announced the government's plan. The widespread dissent underscores the deep-seated concerns regarding the potential implications of the proposed changes to Israel's judicial system.
