Tens of thousands of Israelis protested in Tel Aviv for the 32nd week in a row on Saturday, August 12, against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. The protests began in July 2023, after Netanyahu's government announced plans to overhaul the judicial system.
The protesters see the overhaul as an attempt by Netanyahu to consolidate his power and weaken the judiciary, which has been critical of his government.
The protests have been largely peaceful, but there have been some incidents of violence. In July, police clashed with protesters in Tel Aviv, and several people were injured. In August, a group of protesters blocked traffic on a major highway, and police arrested several people.
Despite the violence, the protests have continued to grow in size and momentum. On Saturday, the protests were the largest yet, with an estimated 100,000 people taking part. The protesters came from all walks of life, including young people, families, and retirees. They waved Israeli flags and chanted slogans against Netanyahu, such as "Netanyahu, go home!" and "We will not give up!"
The protests have had a significant impact on Israeli politics. They have led to calls for Netanyahu to resign, and they have damaged his reputation. The protests have also weakened Netanyahu's coalition government, which is now facing a number of defections.
It is unclear how long the protests will continue, but they have shown that there is a deep level of dissatisfaction with Netanyahu's government. The protests have also highlighted the importance of the judiciary in Israeli democracy, and they have raised concerns about the erosion of democratic institutions in Israel.
In addition to the protests in Tel Aviv, there were also protests in other cities across Israel on Saturday. The protests are expected to continue in the coming weeks and months.