4 Israeli protesters arrested as thousands rally against Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul plan

JERUSALEM (AA) – At least four Israeli protesters were arrested on Thursday as thousands rallied against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul plan, local media reported.

Israel has seen mass protests over the past 12 weeks against the government’s judicial reform plan, seen by the opposition as an attempt to reduce the powers of the judicial authority in favor of the executive authority.

Protests are taking place in major streets and near the homes of members of the ruling coalition.

The Israeli public broadcaster KAN also reported that dozens of Israelis staged a protest in front of the home of far-right Shas Party leader Aryeh Deri in West Jerusalem.

Proposed by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the reform, if enacted, would be the most radical change ever in the system of government in Israel.

The planned change would severely limit the power of the Israeli Supreme Court, give the government the power to choose judges, and end the appointment of legal advisers to ministries by the attorney general.

However, Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, insists that his judicial plan would enhance democracy and would restore the balance between the legislative, executive, and judicial powers.