More than 160,000 citizens, according to the organizers, once again took to the streets yesterday on Saturday. Tel Aviv against the controversial reform of the justice system being promoted by the Prime Minister’s far-right government Benjamin Netanyahuas mass mobilizations now last four months.

Rallies were also held in other cities.

Critics of the government complain that the goal of the reform is to reduce the influence of the Supreme Court and strengthen the power of the government. Among other things, the ruling coalition will have more power to appoint judges, and parliament will be able to overturn decisions of the Supreme Court by a simple majority.

Faced with strong opposition from citizens, the opposition, the military and even part of the coalition, Netanyahu postponed debates and voting in the Knesset – Israel’s parliament – until the end of March to leave “space for dialogue.”

However, the opposition still doubts the willingness of the government, the most right-wing in Israel’s history, to reach a compromise. At this stage, little progress has been made in the negotiations.

Tomorrow, on Monday, the work of the parliament starts again.

For reform critics, the text threatens the separation of powers and the nature of the state.

The government is reportedly looking to pass a budget for 2023 and 2024 before proceeding to weaken the judiciary. If he is not successful by November 29, an early election could be called.

However, in order to offer their support, the ultra-Orthodox parties are demanding a ruling that would de facto exempt religious people from military service, to which there is a strong backlash.

Reform supporters are also lobbying, with Justice Minister Yariv Levin addressing thousands of supporters in Jerusalem yesterday, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (religious Zionism, far right), who attended the event, insists the government will not support.

^{Source: APE-MEB, dpa, AFP.}