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20-striking-images-of-israeli-democracy-under-siege

20 Striking Images of Israeli Democracy Under Siege

Israelis were out in force for a “Day of Resistance” rally in Tel Aviv on March 11. Amir Terkel/Anadolu Agency/Getty

Fight disinformation: Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters.Since late January, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have been loudly protesting an impending judicial overhaul by the nation’s new right-wing government. The most controversial part of the proposal gives the Knesset, Israeli’s parliament, the power to overrule supreme court decisions with a simple majority vote, which means the nation’s top court would be unable to strike down objectionable laws. It would effectively, as one Israeli news report put it, “neuter” the court.
Opponents say the changes, if allowed, will “endanger the entire legal system” and cement the power grip of the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces a corruption charge. (The Knesset already has approved another rule stating that a prime minister may only be removed from office for physical or mental unfitness.) Since the changes were proposed, Israelis have taken to the streets en masse to register their displeasure. 
Tel Aviv on February 4.
Eyal Warshavsky/SOPA Images/ZumaProtesters carry a huge Israeli flag on February 18.
Eyal Warshavsky/SOPA Images/ZumaMounted police in Tel Aviv confront a demonstrator on March 1.
Oded Balilty/APA scene from a “Day of Resistance” that brought out more than 200,000 protesters in Tel Aviv.
Matan Golan/SOPA Images/ZumaProtesters block traffic on Tel Aviv’s Ayalon Highway on March 9.
Eyal Warshavsky/SOPA Images/ZumaProtesters stormed the Jerusalem offices of the conservative Kohelet Policy Forum, a think tank that helped spearhead the judicial overhaul.
Ohad Zwigenberg/APProtestors face off with police on March 9.
Eyal Warshavsky/SOPA Images/ZumaA night protest during Tel Aviv’s “Day of Resistance.”
 Oded Balilty/APA pro-democracy rally on March 11.
Eyal Warshavsky/SOPA/ZumaWomen dressed as handmaids from The Handmaid’s Tale to protest the reforms.
Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu Agency/GettyAn aerial picture shows the size of protest crowds in Tel Aviv on March 11.
Jack Guez/AFP/GettyA banner reads “civil disobedience” in Hebrew.
Jack Guez/AFP/GettyIsraeli forces detain a protester in Tel Aviv.
Jack Guez/AFP/GettyProtesters confront police in Tel Aviv.
Gili Yaari/NurPhoto/GettyA protest scene on March 4 in Tel Aviv.
Amir Levy/GettyA nighttime rally on March 4 in Tel Aviv. 
Amir Levy/GettyMounted police officers clash with protesters in Tel Aviv on March 1.
Amir Levy/GettyNear the Knesset in Jerusalem on February 20.
Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/GettyLawmaker Ron Katz of the Yesh Atid opposition party protests inside the Knesset on February 13.
Yontan Sindel/AFP/GettyTens of thousands gather at Tel Aviv’s Habima Square on January 14.
 Eyal Warshavsky/SOPA/LightRocket/Getty

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