Tel Aviv, Israel - Thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest a proposed bill that would reform the country's judicial system.
The bill, which is being pushed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, would give the government more control over the appointment of judges and the ability to overturn court decisions.
Opponents of the bill say it would undermine the independence of the judiciary and concentrate power in the hands of Netanyahu and his allies.
"This bill is an attack on democracy," said one protester, who gave her name as Sarah. "It would allow Netanyahu to stack the courts with his own allies and effectively rule by fiat."
The protest was peaceful, but it was met with a heavy police presence. Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse some of the protesters, but there were no reports of serious injuries.
The protests have been ongoing for months, and they have drawn a wide range of supporters, including lawyers, academics, and ordinary citizens.
"We are here to defend the rule of law," said another protester, who gave his name as David. "We will not allow Netanyahu to destroy our democracy."
The future of the bill is uncertain, but it is clear that the protests have put the issue of judicial reform on the agenda in Israel.
"This is a defining moment for our country," said one legal expert. "If the bill is passed, it will have a profound impact on the future of Israeli democracy."
The protests are likely to continue in the coming weeks and months as the bill makes its way through the Knesset, Israel's parliament.
It remains to be seen whether the protests will be successful in stopping the bill from being passed, but they have already sent a clear message to Netanyahu and his allies: the people of Israel will not allow their democracy to be undermined.