SECOND UK PROTEST

A second protest against the Israeli government’s proposed sweeping changes to the its legislative and judicial system is due to take place in London this month.

Under the banner ‘Defend Israel’s Democracy’, it is aimed at mirroring the demonstrations that have taken place in Israel, and among smaller expat communities across the globe.

In the first London protest, about 300 secular Israeli expats protested close to the UK’s Israeli embassy late on a Saturday afternoon.

The second demonstration, on 12 March at a location yet to be disclosed, takes place on a Sunday, and organisers hope that this will encourage a larger turnout.

They say the protest is open to all “local Israelis and all supporters of Israel and democracy”. Other banners will read ‘Keep the

Supreme Court independent’ and ‘Criminals should sit in prison, not in government’.

Dr Sharon Shochat, a government specialist and business development expert, said: “What’s going on in Israel since this government took office in December is unprecedented. We are about to witness the country’s institutions disintegrate by an indicted prime minister, who joined hands with extremists and fanatics intoxicated with power, aiming to erode the democratic and liberal values upon which the country was founded.”

Academic Reuven Ziegler, an associate professor at the University of Reading School of Law, said: ‘‘The government states it seeks to reform Israel’s legal system. In reality, the changes it seeks will significantly weaken constitutional review of human rights violations.”