Crowds of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Tuesday, the day before the country's Independence Day, to protest instead of celebrating in the wake of a judicial crisis. This year, Israel celebrated its 75th anniversary in a fractious and uncertain mood, overshadowed by a battle over the judiciary that has opened some of the deepest social divisions since the foundation of the country in 1948.
"This could be like the last Independence Day as we know it; next year it might be completely different. It might be like different rules or restrictions, and I think when they try to change the country," said 23-year-old protester Ido Durst, who stood wrapped with an Israeli flag.
In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a state memorial ceremony attended by President Isaac Herzog and other officials. Meanwhile in Beersheba, where far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir spoke, a brief scuffle broke out after a man exchanged insults with a veteran female Israeli journalist who was perceived to be left-leaning.
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have protested every week since the start of the year against plans by Netanyahu's nationalist-religious government to push through curbs on the judiciary they see as an existential threat to democracy. For many Israelis, the standoff has opened up profound questions about their country that go beyond the makeup of the Supreme Court and the power of the executive to override its decisions.
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