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Street protests in Israel draws 500,000 people

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Street protests in Israel against government attempts to curb the power of courts draws 500,000 people

  • Hundreds of thousands took to the streets to demonstrate across the country 
  • People are angry at Prime Minister’s attempts to curb courts legislation powers 
  • Proposals will give ministers influence over the choice of judges in the courts  

The largest protests in Israel’s history have taken place against government moves to limit the power of judges.

Hundreds of thousands took to the streets to demonstrate in cities across the country on Saturday night.

Normally such activism centres on the liberal city of Tel Aviv, where at least 200,000 are thought to have gathered, but organisers said another 300,000 also protested in other cities.

They are angry at attempts by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to curb the power of the courts in legislation going through parliament. 

It will give ministers decisive influence over the choice of judges and limit the ability of the Supreme Court to strike out laws.

Hundreds of thousands took to the streets to demonstrate in cities across the country on Saturday night

Hundreds of thousands took to the streets to demonstrate in cities across the country on Saturday night

A protester holds a flaming torch during a massive protest against the government's judicial overhaul plan

A protester holds a flaming torch during a massive protest against the government’s judicial overhaul plan

They are angry at attempts by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to curb the power of the courts in legislation going through parliament

They are angry at attempts by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to curb the power of the courts in legislation going through parliament

A person holds a banner during a demonstration as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nationalist coalition government presses on with its contentious judicial overhaul

A person holds a banner during a demonstration as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s nationalist coalition government presses on with its contentious judicial overhaul

Normally such activism centres on the liberal city of Tel Aviv, where at least 200,000 are thought to have gathered, but organisers said another 300,000 also protested in other cities

Normally such activism centres on the liberal city of Tel Aviv, where at least 200,000 are thought to have gathered, but organisers said another 300,000 also protested in other cities

Israelis demonstrate against contentious judicial overhaul, outside the house of Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin

Israelis demonstrate against contentious judicial overhaul, outside the house of Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin

A woman protests against the government's controversial judicial reform bill, in Haifa

A woman protests against the government’s controversial judicial reform bill, in Haifa

People demonstrate during 'Day of Resistance' as protests broke out across the country

People demonstrate during ‘Day of Resistance’ as protests broke out across the country 

Opponents believe the measures threaten the basis of the country’s democracy and could lead to authoritarian government.