Tens of thousands of Israel protested outside the parliament building on Monday, waving flags, honking horns, and yelling “democracy” and “no to tyranny” as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party announced a controversial plan to restructure the country’s legal system.

It was the greatest demonstration outside the Knesset in years and underlined the plan’s polarising nature. The proposed reforms have generated weeks of huge protests, concerns from powerful business leaders and former military men, and an expression of concern from Vice President Joe Biden.

Tuesday, at a tumultuous committee meeting, Netanyahu’s allies accepted a series of legislative amendments despite a request from the nation’s figurehead president to halt the legislation. The result now takes the proposal to the full house for a series of votes – the first volley in a battle that is expected to last weeks.

“They have heard our cries. They hear the powerful voice of the truth “Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition, spoke on a stage outside the parliament. They are terrified when they hear it.

Netanyahu and his backers argue that the planned changes are necessary to rein in an overly powerful court. However, his detractors assert that the judicial reform amounts to a coup and will destroy Israel democracy. In addition, they assert that Netanyahu, who is on trial for many corruption accusations, has a conflict of interest.

The demonstrators arrived from all throughout the United States. Female LGBTQ activists and opposition party leaders addressed the gathering, which reportedly numbered more than 100,000, according to the event’s organisers.

Thousands of people arrived in Jerusalem on crowded trains, surging up escalators at the city’s main railway station while chanting “democracy” and waving the national flag. Hundreds of protesters gathered at Jerusalem’s Western Wall, the holiest Jewish prayer place, before marching towards the Knesset.

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Prior to a committee vote that would bring the bill to the whole parliament for a vote, opposition legislators criticised the planned reform of judge nominations in the legislature. During a rowdy session, opposition members stood on the conference table and shouted as a key was turned. A ally of Netanyahu attempted to hold the vote. The motions passed by a committee vote of 9 to 7.

Thousands of people marched to the Israeli legislature, the Knesset, a day after the country’s figurehead president urged Netanyahu’s cabinet to delay its proposed changes to the court – steps that critics believe will undermine the country’s Supreme Court and erode democratic checks and balances.

Numerous protestors held the blue and white Israeli flag and posters denouncing what they perceived to be an assault on the democratic institutions of the country. They screamed “Shame! Shame!” and “Israel will not be a dictatorship!”

Boaz Zarki, a demonstrator in Jerusalem, stated, “The people won’t have it.” “The separation of authority is essential to the existence of democracy, and we must do everything in our ability to oppose” the passage of the proposed amendments.

Other major demonstrations were place in cities across the nation.

Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz stated during a joint press conference in the Knesset that opposition party leaders were united “against the planned killing of democracy.”

Following the country’s fifth election in less than four years, Netanyahu and his partners assumed power in December. This election, like its predecessors, centred on Netanyahu’s suitability for office in the face of grave criminal indictments.

Netanyahu has attacked the country’s police, prosecutors, and judges, claiming he is the target of a deep-state-style plot to remove him from office. According to his detractors, he is driven by a personal grievance, and his campaign will destroy Israel’s democratic system of checks and balances.

Monday’s committee vote would give Netanyahu’s legislative majority the right to nominate all of the country’s judges, a move that critics fear might pave the door for his trial to be dropped. A second modification would remove the Supreme Court’s ability to assess the validity of fundamental laws, also known as Basic Laws.

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His alliance also intends to adopt a measure that would give the legislature the authority to reverse Supreme Court decisions it disagrees with.

Critics argue that this will demolish the nation’s system of checks and balances and unleash a process comparable to those in authoritarian nations such as Poland and Hungary.

Eliad Shraga, chairman of the Movement for Quality Government, a civil-society organisation that organised Monday’s demonstration, stated that the purpose of the gathering was to send a message of support to the Supreme Court and a warning to the Knesset. He told the Associated Press, “We will fight until the end.” They intend to transform Israel from a liberal democracy into a fascist tyranny.

Late on Sunday night, President Isaac Herzog urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the legislation and engage in conversation with the opposition. Netanyahu has not provided a response.

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