A massive demonstration took place in Jerusalem on Saturday, with tens of thousands of protesters marching against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial judicial overhaul. In a last-ditch effort, hundreds of thousands of Israelis also gathered in Tel Aviv and other cities to show their opposition. Meanwhile, more than 100 former security chiefs signed a letter imploring Netanyahu to halt the legislation, and thousands of military reservists announced their refusal to report for duty in protest. This has led to concerns about potential threats to the country’s security interests.
Under the scorching 91-degree Fahrenheit heat, the procession from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem turned the city’s main entrance into a sea of Israeli flags, as marchers completed their four-day, 45-mile trek. Upon arrival in Jerusalem, they were greeted by cheering protesters before setting up camp outside the Knesset, where a vote on the legislation is scheduled for Monday. In addition to the Jerusalem march, hundreds of thousands of people flooded the streets of Tel Aviv, as well as cities like Beersheba, Haifa, and Netanya.
The proposed legislation has faced strong criticism from business and medical leaders. The opposition has also gained support from an increasing number of military reservists in key units, who have vowed to stop reporting for duty if the plan is approved. On Saturday night, an additional 10,000 reservists announced their suspension of duty, according to the protest group Brothers in Arms. Over 100 former security chiefs, including retired military commanders, police commissioners, and intelligence agency heads, have signed a letter to Netanyahu, holding him responsible for compromising the military and urging him to cease the legislation. Prominent figures such as former prime minister Ehud Barak and former army chief and defense minister Moshe Yaalon are among the signatories.
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