on the unrest in Israel, demonstrators taking to the strs today in Jerusalem after lawmaks passed a controversial bill to limit when the Supreme Court can intervene in government actions. In response, businesses are closing their doors and thousans of military reservists say they won't report for duty. ABC's Faith Abu eBay has the la. Anger on the streets of Jerusalm as widespread protests against a multi stage plan to overhaul the judicial system intensify. Thousands packing the streets, some tying themselves to each other near the Supreme Court and police officers seen blasting demonstrators with water cannon. We're here to protect our democracy. We were left wito choice but to go to.
Disobedience inside the Israeli parliament. Opposition lawmakers storming out in defiance. The remaining members of the Knesset unanimously, passing a highly controversial measure to limit the court's power to block government decisions it deems unreasonable. I am 100% in favor of this judicial reform. I think
my country
needs it. Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu and allies argue that the plans to overhaul the judiciary is about returning power to the governme, but critics have called it a full blown coup meant to. Crush Israel's Supreme Court and protect Netanyahu, who's facing criminal charges for bribery and corruption. The long serving leader has dismissed the allegations and cd criticism that the judicial refm would destroy democracy absurd. The Monday vote coming just hous after Netanyahu was released frm the hospital after a two night stay where he was fitted with a pacemaker according to his doct. Meantime, the White House calling the passing of the judicial overhaul bill unfortunate major changes in a democracy should bf they're going to be.
Wiring must have as broad a consensus as possibl. President Biden said it didn't e sense for Netanyahu to move ahed with the plans for
judicial overhaul, saying that given the
range of threats and challenges facing
Israel right now, the plan has become more
divisive, not less. But the White House says the USl continue to support Israeli leas to build a broader consensus thh political dialogue in Washingto. Faith Abbe, ABC News.
