Tens of thousands of Israelis rallied last night in a protest against the government's controversial judicial reform plan and demanded that the changes be reversed, not delayed, the Associated Press reported.

For most of this year, protests have been held weekly and continue, although in March Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he was delaying reform proposals in order to reach a compromise agreement.

Organizers of the protests, now in their 18th week, said they wanted to step up pressure on Netanyahu's government and lawmakers after parliament resumed work this week after a month-long recess.

In Tel Aviv, the epicenter of the protests, protesters held a large placard addressed to Netanyahu that read: "You will never be a dictator!"

The president of Israel said that his country is facing the most serious crisis

The reform would give Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges, and his partners in the most hardline coalition in Israel's history the final say in appointing judges.

It would also give the parliament, which is controlled by Netanyahu's allies, the power to overturn Supreme Court rulings and limit the court's ability to review laws.

The plan plunged Israel into one of its worst internal crises, exposing long-standing public contradictions and creating new ones, BTA points out.

While the freeze on the legislation has eased tensions somewhat, Netanyahu's allies are pressing him to press ahead with the reform.

Talks held to find a way out of the crisis do not seem to have produced any results.

Broad sections of Israeli society, including business leaders and the booming technology sector, have criticized the proposed changes.

Army reservists have threatened to walk off duty if the plan is approved.

Tens of thousands of people, mostly secular, middle-class Israelis, regularly join mass protests against the reform.

Israel

protests

judicial reform