The mass protest — which has raged weekly since the start of the year — comes just ahead of Israel’s landmark 75th anniversary celebration. Thousands of officers in elite reserve units of the military have said they will refuse to report for duty. US president Joe Biden, the leader of Israel’s most crucial ally, has even publicly rebuffed Mr Netanyahu, telling him that he “cannot continue down this road”. Crowds of Israelis chanting “Shame!” have flooded the streets in the weeks after Mr Netanyahu backed down, demanding that the overhaul be scrapped altogether. The plan would give Mr Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges, and his partners in Israel’s most hardline coalition in its history the final say in appointing the nation’s judges.

Source: Daily Nation April 22, 2023 20:47 UTC