In a momentous development, Israeli police engaged in heated clashes with protesters after the nation’s parliament passed a highly contentious law aimed at curbing the powers of the Supreme Court. As part of a broader reform package, the law seeks to prevent the court from overturning government actions deemed “unreasonable.”

Protesters took to the streets in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with some blocking highways, leading to confrontations with the police, who used water cannons to disperse the crowds. Critics of the government, including opposition leader Yair Lapid and a political watchdog group, are planning to challenge the law in the Supreme Court, seeking its annulment.

The reforms proposed by the hard-right government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have sparked months of widespread protests, representing one of the largest demonstrations in Israel’s history. The opposition argues that these changes pose a significant threat to the country’s democratic principles, fearing an encroachment into authoritarian territory.

One of the main concerns is that the law could provide unchecked power to nationalist and ultra-Orthodox religious parties allied with the government, potentially undermining the democratic system. However, the government justifies the reforms as necessary to address an imbalance of power, claiming that the courts have been increasingly interfering in political decisions.

The passage of the “reasonableness” bill in parliament, with an overwhelming majority of 64 votes to 0, has triggered unrest and raised anxieties about national security. Israel’s Histadrut trade union federation has threatened a general strike, and numerous military reservists, including air force pilots, have pledged not to report for duty in protest of the law.

The situation has drawn international attention, with the White House expressing regret over the passing of the law. The crisis has escalated to such an extent that the country’s president has warned of a state of national emergency.

Protesters have shown unwavering determination, with some marching 45 miles from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and setting up camp between the Knesset and the Supreme Court buildings. The demonstrations have garnered support from various segments of society, including former security officials, chief justices, legal experts, and business figures.

The government, while asserting that the reforms are crucial to rectifying the perceived imbalance, is open to resuming talks with the opposition to seek a comprehensive agreement. However, the deep divisions in the country have created a turbulent political landscape, leaving the future of the reform package uncertain.

As the crisis unfolds, the nation finds itself at a critical juncture, grappling with questions about the preservation of its democratic values and the potential ramifications of the new law for its future. The protests continue, with demonstrators vowing to resist what they perceive as an assault on democracy while the government remains resolute in its position.