Activists protesting the government's plan to overhaul Israel's judiciary clashed with police in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Monday night. They blocked freeways and vowed to intensify their demonstrations.

Despite the protests, lawmakers plan to proceed with the remaining parts of the contentious program. Authorities used mounted police and water cannons to disperse crowds, but thousands of protesters persisted at the Kaplan junction in Tel Aviv. In Jerusalem, officers on horseback and skunk water blasts were used to disperse demonstrators near the Knesset and the Supreme Court building.

Critics argue that the judicial overhaul threatens Israel's democracy by weakening the Supreme Court's authority. The situation remains highly contentious and volatile as both sides stand firm in their positions.

Protest organizers are determined to persist in their fight against the government's judiciary overhaul, aiming to restore Israel's democratic principles. They consider all participants in the protests as heroes for their unwavering commitment to the cause.

During the demonstrations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, at least 33 people, including Moshe Radman, a prominent tech entrepreneur and protest leader, were arrested.

Hebrew-language media reports and activists accused the police of using excessive force and brutal tactics, which were unprecedented during the 29 weeks of protests against the judiciary overhaul. Incidents of violence occurred, with some directed at protesters and others initiated by them.

Notably, a driver plowed through a group of protesters blocking a road north of Tel Aviv, resulting in injuries to three people. The situation remains highly charged and contentious as both sides continue to clash over the government's plans for the judiciary.

Following the government's approval of the overhaul, activists and Hebrew-language media reports accused the police of employing excessive violence and brutal tactics, which had not been witnessed during the 29 weeks of large-scale protests. Incidents of violence were reported, allegedly involving both protesters and others targeting the demonstrators. One particular incident involved a driver ramming through a group of protesters blocking a road north of Tel Aviv, resulting in injuries to three individuals.

As the day progressed, the protests grew more intense, particularly after the bill passed its final readings. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid vowed to petition the High Court the following day. Meanwhile, the coalition celebrated its victory, though it had been more than a month since talks aimed at reaching a compromise on the overhaul had collapsed.

Lapid expressed his distress, stating that it was a sad day and viewed the passage of the bill as not just a victory for the coalition, but rather as a destructive blow to Israeli democracy.

The situation remains highly charged and contentious, with profound implications for the country's political landscape.

Following the government's approval of the judiciary overhaul, Benny Gantz, the leader of the opposition National Unity party, remained determined and confident, expressing that despite losing a battle, they are committed to winning the war.

In contrast, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the decision, stating it was a necessary democratic act aimed at restoring balance among the branches of government.

The differing perspectives reflect the deep division and tensions surrounding the judiciary overhaul and its potential impact on Israel's democratic system.

Both sides are unwavering in their stances, contributing to the ongoing political tension in the country.

Throughout the day and night, protesters gathered around the parliament building, forming human chains to prevent Border Police officers from removing them. Police responded by using water cannons to disperse the protesters and clear roads leading to the Knesset. Violent clashes ensued, resulting in injuries to five protesters and three police officers.

Inside the Knesset, members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition likened the protests to a "siege," drawing parallels to the January 6 events in the United States. They portrayed themselves as targets of an insurrection, further escalating tensions amid the ongoing protests against the judiciary overhaul.

The situation remained highly charged, with no signs of the protests subsiding as parliamentary activities continued.

This highlights the deep divisions and political unrest surrounding the government's contentious plans for the judiciary.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right lawmaker and strong advocate of the judicial overhaul, tweeted about the protests, claiming that the left had become undemocratic, and the right was striving to restore democracy to Israel.

Following the vote, protests erupted nationwide, with demonstrators blocking the Begin Highway in Jerusalem for approximately three hours and gathering outside the Supreme Court.

Police used water cannons spraying foul-smelling skunk water to disperse the protesters. Some demonstrators tried to cope with the smell by using nose plugs or holding sprigs of rosemary.

Protester Danny Kimmel expressed concern that such measures could lead to a dictatorship, emphasizing the right to peaceful protest.

The situation remained tense, with widespread opposition to the judiciary overhaul and ongoing public dissent. These protests underscore deep divisions and growing concerns about the potential impact on Israel's democratic principles.

The police's efforts to clear the roadway in Tel Aviv continued until approximately 1:30 a.m., but even after that, hundreds of protesters continued to rally on Kaplan Street for an additional hour. Similar road blockades were reported in Haifa, Ra'anana, and other locations.

During the clashes with police, numerous reports of police violence emerged. Activists and the press accused law enforcement of using water cannons indiscriminately and employing excessive force. In a concerning incident, police allegedly obstructed the filming of an activist's arrest by standing in front of other officers.

The police stated that the demonstrators fought back and threw bottles filled with sand at the officers, leading to at least 13 officers being injured in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Notably, it was reported that police were equipped with stun grenades and authorized to use them against the protesters, although no instances of actual deployment were reported.

This marked a potential significant escalation in police tactics, as there have been mounting pressures from National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to intensify efforts against protests that involve road blockades. The situation remains highly charged and raises concerns about the handling of the protests by law enforcement.

Monday's protests in Israel saw several violent incidents involving civilians. In Kfar Saba, a van forcefully plowed through a group of marching protesters on Route 531, resulting in minor injuries to three individuals. The driver was later arrested for questioning.Monday's protests in Israel saw several violent incidents involving civilians. In Kfar Saba, a van forcefully plowed through a group of marching protesters on Route 531, resulting in minor injuries to three individuals. The driver was later arrested for questioning.

In Jerusalem, an anti-overhaul protester was detained for allegedly using a flagpole to break the back window of a car carrying a woman and her children near a gathering of protesters at an intersection.
Another clash occurred at Kibbutz Hatzerim, where seven people were apprehended following a confrontation between pro-overhaul protesters and local kibbutz residents. During the scuffle, the head of the town's security squad fired his gun into the air.

The parliamentary vote on Monday resulted in lawmakers approving a measure preventing judges from striking down government decisions labeled "unreasonable." Critics argue that this change may lead to corruption and the appointment of unqualified individuals to important positions. They point to a previous incident where the Supreme Court overturned Benjamin Netanyahu's appointment of Aryeh Deri as interior and finance minister due to a past tax conviction, deeming it unreasonable.

These violent incidents and the contentious vote underscore the ongoing turmoil and divisions surrounding the judiciary overhaul in Israel. The situation remains tense as protests continue across the country.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the architect of the plan, said parliament had taken the “first step in an important historic process.”

“This is just the beginning,” added Ben Gvir.

Outside of Israel, passage of the bill drew expressions of dismay and worse from Diaspora groups as well as the White House.

“It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a statement. A later statement from the National Security Council urged that the right of protest be protected.

Activists filled the streets of central Tel Aviv with blue and white flags, but one individual stood out with a red and blue North Korean emblem, symbolizing a stark warning of Israel's direction.

Dean, a 29-year-old activist, stressed that while Israel hasn't reached the extreme level of North Korea, the day's events marked the beginning of a troubling path. He expressed concern over the government's attempts to undermine the legitimacy of the protests and their values.

The use of the North Korean emblem as a warning reflects the increasing unease among activists about the government's actions and their potential impact on civil liberties and democratic principles in Israel. The ongoing protests reveal the deep divisions and apprehensions within the country's political landscape.