Edmonton Journal ePaper

PROTESTS RAGE AS LAW SHIELDING NETANYAHU PASSES.

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL Israel's parliament on Thursday passed the first of several laws that make up its contentious judicial overhaul as protesters opposing the changes staged another day of demonstrations aimed at raising alarm over what they see as the country's descent toward autocracy.

Thousands of people protested throughout the country, blocking traffic on main highways and scuffling with police in unrest that shows no sign of abating as the overhaul moves ahead.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition approved legislation that would protect the Israeli leader from being deemed unfit to rule because of his corruption trial and claims of a conflict of interest surrounding his involvement in the legal changes. Critics say the law is tailor-made for Netanyahu, encourages corruption and deepens a gaping chasm between Israelis over the judicial overhaul.

The government's plan has plunged the nearly 75-year-old nation into one of its worst domestic crises.

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2023-03-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://edmontonjournal.pressreader.com/article/281973201902475

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