An Israeli parliamentary committee has adopted a key clause of the hard-right government's disputed judicial overhaul plans, according to a statement on Thursday, as protests intensified ahead of final votes on the bill.
In a marathon debate that ended late on Wednesday, parliament's law committee approved the proposal, which would limit the reasonability clause that allows the judiciary to strike down government decisions.
After the panel's endorsement, "with nine Knesset members supporting and seven opposing", according to a statement from parliament, the bill is due for second and third readings on Monday.
If approved next week by the full parliament, it would be the first major component of the government's proposed legal overhaul to become law.
Opponents of the government's reforms, unveiled in January shortly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power, view them as a threat to Israeli democracy.
Protesters have kept up pressure on the government with a months-long wave of demonstrations.
On Thursday morning, demonstrators gathered outside government offices in the northern port city of Haifa, organisers said, as hundreds were marching from Tel Aviv to the seat of parliament in Jerusalem.
The judicial reforms have split the nation and sparked one of the biggest protest movements in Israel's history, with weekly demonstrations often drawing tens of thousands.
Other proposals include giving the government a greater say in the appointment of judges.
The reform package has also drawn international criticism, including from Israel's close ally the United States.
The government, which includes Mr Netanyahu's extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies, argues that the changes are necessary to ensure a better balance of power.
Some critics of Mr Netanyahu, who is fighting corruption charges in court, say he is trying to undermine a judicial system he has accused of targeting him unfairly for political reasons.
Military threat
The proposals have caused rifts within the government, with defence minister Yoav Gallant briefly being suspended in March by Mr Netanyahu after calling the reforms a "clear, immediate and tangible danger to the security of the state".
Threats to withhold military service have extended to the air force and earlier this week 160 pilot reservists threatened to step down if the reforms go through.
It is thought that hundreds who did not sign the letter are supportive of the resistance.
Forum 555, a group of about 1,300 former pilots, including some who are still reservists, is also against the reforms. Hundreds of reservists, including those from the Mossad security service and Special Forces units have also sent warnings that they will not accept calls to duty in protest at Mr Netanyahu’s plans.
Mr Gallant this week changed tack, warning against politicisation of the military.
"The security challenges require us to be highly prepared, it's imperative to maintain our readiness and cohesion. Those who call for non-mobilisation harm the [military] and the security of the country," he said.
Many are unconvinced. Nadav Argaman, the former head of Israel's internal security service, Shin Bet, gave an extensive interview with Israeli army radio on Wednesday, saying the reforms amounted to a coup.
"This is a regime coup. We all served under different governments … and received different orders; we believed more in some and less in others; it doesn’t matter. There is a different reality here, regime change is a new reality," he said, echoing the criticisms of many protesters who say the plan for the judiciary amounts to a power grab.
"Any legislation that does not have a broad consensus will lead the State of Israel to chaos,” Mr Argaman warned. “If the law passes – we are a different country. We are on the brink of civil war."
Based on this logic, Mr Argaman said "the termination of volunteering is in order”.
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
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Results:
2.15pm: Handicap (PA) Dh60,000 1,200m.
Winner: AZ Dhabyan, Adam McLean (jockey), Saleha Al Ghurair (trainer).
2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 1,200m.
Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
3.15pm: Conditions (PA) Dh60,000 2,000m.
Winner: Hareer Al Reef, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
3.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 1,700m.
Winner: Kenz Al Reef, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
4.15pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh 200,000 1,700m.
Winner: Mystique Moon, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
4.45pm: The Crown Prince Of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 1,200m.
Winner: ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
Pathaan
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.