Demonstrations against the government's judicial reform continued Saturday, for the 15th consecutive week, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to pause the highly contested proposals.
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Protest organizers, who have held suck weekly demonstrations since January when the legislation was first announced, aim to maintain momentum and increase pressure on Netanyahu and his government until the proposed changes are scrapped.
Video: Reuters
Bending to the mass protests, Netanyahu paused the overhaul plans in March, saying he wanted "to avoid civil war" and give sincere negotiations a chance.
However, in a new ripple, thousands of heretofore quiescent supporters of reform also attended protests across the country.
Matan Peleg, chairman of Im Tirtzu, a Zionist NGO, said, "We thank the tens of thousands who came out to the streets to express their support for the judicial reform. We won't let the anarchists harm the voter's decision. There is a duty to pass the reform so that there will be democracy here."
Members of government joined the crowd in the coastal city of Netanya, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Otzma Yehudit Party and Likud members of Knesset Tali Gottlieb, Nissim Vaturi, Ariel Kallner, Sasson Guetta and Avichay Buaron.
"After 75 years, the time has come that the nationalist camp will be a true partner in running the state, and that starts with real involvement in the Supreme Court. The judicial reform will pass," said Buaron.
Pro-reform protesters also gathered in front of the President's Residence in Jerusalem. Among the signs at the protest: "Honorable President, you don't have the mandate to cancel our vote."
Critics have said the judicial reform would destroy Israel's system of checks and balances by concentrating power in the hands of the government. In addition, they say that Netanyahu has a conflict of interest as he is currently on trial for corruption charges.
Proponents, however, say the legislation would balance the power of the executive, judicial and legislative and bring Israel more in line with other democratic nations.
JNS.org contributed to this report.
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