Hundreds of thousands march as vote on Israeli judicial reform nears

Hundreds of thousands of protesters have again taken to the streets in Israel this weekend, ahead of the expected approval on Monday of a law restricting the country's independent judiciary. On Sunday, Israel's parliament began debate on the judicial reform package, and more protests are expected.

An estimated 170,000 demonstrators gathered in central Tel Aviv on Saturday, according to Channel 13 news. 85,000 gathered in Jerusalem. After a four-day protest march, around 40,000 more opponents of Netanyahu's judicial reform arrived at the parliament in Jerusalem on Saturday evening.

On Sunday, Israel's parliament began debate on a key part of the right-wing conservative government's controversial judicial overhaul package. Several demonstrations are expected near the parliament on Sunday, from both supporters and opponents of the reform.

"Coup"

Netanyahu's far-right coalition is expected to approve the reform on Monday before the start of the summer recess. Under the proposed reform, the Supreme Court will no longer be able to declare laws passed by parliament or government actions illegal and sweep them off the table. This would effectively make the Supreme Court judges subordinate to Parliament.

Tens to hundreds of thousands of people have demonstrated every week since the reforms were announced in January. Opponents of the new legislation say Netanyahu and his coalition partners are undermining democracy and have called it a 'coup'. The plans are causing widespread division and opposition in Israel.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Israeli prime minister Netanyahu is doing well after receiving a pacemaker during the night from Saturday to Sunday, announced the hospital where he is staying. The Israeli prime minister remains at the hospital's cardiology department for the time being for observation.