Israelis stage ‘national day of paralysis’ as protests rage over planned judicial reforms

Protesters rallied against judicial reforms, planned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which opponents say could end the country’s democracy.

At least 87 people were arrested throughout what organisers called a “national day of paralysis” on Thursday.

The protests were held on the same day that Israel’s parliament approved a law limiting the circumstances under which a prime minister might be deemed unfit for office.

In the affluent cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa, police used horses and water cannon to disperse the crowds.

Demonstrators in Tel Aviv blocked a motorway, a move increasingly seen as three months of protests against the judicial reforms have grown more confrontational.

Protesters also planned to block roads leading to the country’s main airport, to stop Mr Netanyahu from travelling to London on an official visit.

Police have come under increasing pressure from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to employ severe measures to disperse crowds. Mr Ben-Gvir frequently refers to demonstrators as “anarchists”.

Counter-demonstrators attacked crowds, with one motorcyclist using tear gas on demonstrators in Tel Aviv and another attacking an 80-yearold protester in the central city of Rishon Lezion.

In the afternoon it was announced that Mr Netanyahu would make an evening address to the nation.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced that he would be holding a press conference at the same time and was expected to call for a halt to the judicial reforms amid increasing opposition from reservists in the Israeli military.

President Isaac Herzog pleaded for restraint as demonstrators planned to rally in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak. A presidential representative implored people “to show responsibility and avoid any aspect that may incite gratuitous hatred and deepen the severe rift we are in”.