Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Israel: Thousands of People Protesting against the Government's Planned Judicial Reforms | DW News

Jul 18, 2023 | Thousands of people in Israel are taking part in protests against the government's planned judicial reforms. In Tel Aviv, demonstrators are staging rallies at important sites across the city including the stock exchange, defense ministry, train stations and road junctions. It's all part of what's being described as a 'day of resistance' by organizers.

The action comes ahead of a parliamentary vote on a key part of the proposed reforms, which critics have said would 'dismantle democracy’. Our correspondent Rebecca Ritters is at the protests in Tel Aviv and gave us the latest from there.

At the same time, Israel's President Isaac Herzog is in Washington for talks with the Biden. The US-Israel relationship is being tested as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces criticism from Israel's closest ally. Netanyahu's government, formed with far-right and ultranationalist coalition partners, has drawn concern due to plans to weaken the Israeli Supreme Court and expand settlements in the Occupied West Bank.

In light of these concerns, Israeli President Herzog is visiting the US to address Congress and mark the 75th anniversary of Israel's founding. Herzog will also meet with President Biden at the White House, while Prime Minister Netanyahu has not been invited. DW’s Washington bureau chief Ines Pohl reports from Washington and New York city..