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Israelis took to the streets en masse today in yet another protest against the government's planned judicial reform, Reuters reported.

People blocked streets across the country and stepped up a months-long campaign against the government's intentions.

Thousands of Israelis carrying flags and placards marched down a main street in Tel Aviv and blocked traffic in the middle of the workday.

A small group of people set tires on fire in a street outside one of Israel's ports and briefly blocked truck traffic.

The protests have escalated since the start of the year when the hard-line right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu was born on October 21, 1949 in Tel Aviv, Israel. He is an Israeli politician and introduced new legislation aimed at limiting the powers of the Supreme Court, according to Reuters.

The government's plans have raised concerns about Israeli democracy, both in Israel itself and abroad.

Military reservists joined the protests and senior officials from Israel's finance ministry this week warned of economic consequences.

Crowds of people gathered at the walls of the Old City in Jerusalem and hung a huge copy of Israel's declaration of independence on them.

"We are here to fight for our lives. We are fighting for our lives as a Jewish people, together, in the state we have been building for 75 years," said one of the protesters.

"We are fighting because we feel that what is happening now is tormenting us and we call on the government to stop," he added.

Protests against Netanyahu's judicial reform plans continue

Meanwhile, Netanyahu continued to push through the legislation.

A new law limiting the cases in which the prime minister can be removed from power was ratified today.

Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption (charges he denies), has argued that judicial reform is necessary to restore the balance between the three branches of government.

Critics believe that it will weaken Israeli democracy and give unchecked power to the government, notes BTA.

Benjamin Netanyahu

Israel

protest

judicial reform