Tel Aviv - On Friday, two sisters of British-Israeli nationality, Maia and Rina Dee, were shot and killed in the occupied West Bank near the Hamra Junction, while tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Saturday to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed measures to increase his control over the Supreme Court.
An Italian tourist was killed and seven other people were wounded, in another suspected car-ramming attack in Tel Aviv on Friday.
People gathering in Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest controversial judicial reforms proposed by the Israeli government held a minute's silence for the sisters and the Italian tourist.
The sisters, aged 20 and 15 respectively, were driving with their mother, Leah, who remains in a critical condition. The family lived in the West Bank settlement Efrat, and their father, Rabbi Leo Dee, described the deaths as a "nightmare". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the attack a terror attack and expressed condolences to the family.
The UK's chief rabbi and the Board of Deputies of British Jews also expressed shock and sadness at the tragedy. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly urged anyone concerned about friends or family in Israel to contact the Foreign Office. The sisters' funeral is scheduled for Sunday.
People wearing red, stand in a line during a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister in Tel Aviv/REUTERS
Despite security concerns following two deadly attacks the day before, demonstrators took to the streets reflecting a growing public discontent with Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges and has been accused of undermining democratic institutions.
The protests against Netanyahu's proposed measures to increase control over the Supreme Court were the latest in a series of demonstrations that had previously paused due to a wave of strikes and mass demonstrations.
Netanyahu has taken measures to increase security and prevent potential unrest as protests continue in Tel Aviv over proposed reforms.
The demonstration began with a prayer for the victims of the attacks a day earlier but protesters said they would not be put off by security worries.
"Security is one thing but reform is another," said 26-year-old student Amitay Ginsberg to Reuters. "We're still going to come here and say loud and clear that we will not let this reform pass."
The proposals include giving the government more control over the appointment of Supreme Court judges and allowing parliament to overrule court decisions, leading to a domestic crisis with hundreds of thousands of people, including army reservists, business leaders, and academics, taking part in protests.
Supporters of the reform argue that it will restore balance between the judiciary and elected officials, while critics believe it will undermine democratic checks and balances and give the government unchecked power.
Prior to the protests, police urged demonstrators to leave roads clear for emergency services following the Friday car-ramming incident in Tel Aviv.