An estimated 200,000 Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv Saturday night to protest against the government's planned judicial reform for the 17th consecutive weekend.
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"We are just getting started," read one banner. "History has its eyes on you," said another. Demonstrators also lit flares and brandished Israeli flags and anti-reform banners.
Protests were also held in Haifa, Kfar Saba and Netanya.
Video: Judicial reform protest in Haifa (Omri Rosenberg)
Over the past few weeks, protests both against and in support of the legislation, have been held countrywide, especially in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Opponents fear the reform will threaten Israeli democracy and give the government unbridled powers, while proponents say it will rein in the power of the Supreme Court and create balance between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
The legislation was put on hold by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the Knesset recess in late March to give way for negotiations with the Opposition. Led by President Isaac Herzog, the talks have seen no major breakthroughs yet.
As the Knesset prepares to reopen for its summer session on Sunday, protest organizers vowed to step up activities by holding a "national equality day" on Thursday.
"The protest movement will fight for equality in service of the state and in economic contribution, and for all those who are financially harmed by the government's actions," they said in a statement, referring to plans by the government to exempt all ultra-Orthodox men from mandatory military service. "The days in which one side serves the state and also finances the yeshivas, while [the government] tries to establish a halachic dictatorship here, are over."
i24NEWS contributed to this report.
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