The judicial overhaul pursued by Netanyahu and his right-wing government has sparked an unprecedented crisis and opened up a deep social divide.
"We all don't see any future if this will keep on going," said Yariv Shavit, 53, an engineer in Israel's high-tech sector who gathered with other protesters carrying a flower and a flag. "We are not united. We lost our unity."
Political watchdog groups have appealed to the Supreme Court to strike down the new law, which removes the high court's authority to void what it deems "unreasonable" decisions by government and ministers. The court said it would hear arguments in September, setting the scene for a constitutional showdown.
Netanyahu has tried to minimize the impact of the new law, ratified after days of rowdy debate in parliament in a vote boycotted by the opposition. Critics say he is threatening Israel's democratic principles and independence of the courts, possibly with an eye to a corruption case he himself is facing. Netanyahu denies that, and also denies the charges against him.
The Knesset, Israel's parliament, adjourns for recess on Saturday, so it could be weeks before Netanyahu's future strategy becomes clear. Together with ultra-Orthodox and nationalist partners he controls 64 of 120 seats.One Likud lawmaker admitted during an interview to "falling asleep on watch" and another wrote on Facebook that going forward he would only support changes reached in "a broad national agreement".
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