Israelis join protest outside US embassy in Tel Aviv against Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul

(20 Sep 2023) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Tel Aviv - 20 September 2023 1. Wide of protesters chanting (Hebrew) “the government is criminal“ 2. Protesters chanting, drumming and waving Israeli flags, US embassy in background 3. Protesters chanting, woman holding sign reading (English) “This Barbie is fighting for democracy“ 4. Various of protesters waving flags, drumming and chanting 5. Protesters holding a banner reading in English “Joe, need help? Blink twice,“ chanting (Hebrew) “We are not afraid“ STORYLINE: Dozens of Israelis protested against the far-right government’s plans to overhaul the judicial system outside the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden were meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. Biden administration officials have repeatedly raised concerns about Netanyahu’s contentious plan to overhaul Israel’s judicial system, and the topic is sure to come up. Netanyahu says the country’s unelected judges wield too much power over government decision-making. Critics say that by weakening the independent judiciary, Netanyahu is pushing the country toward authoritarian rule. His plan has bitterly divided the nation and triggered months of mass protests against his government. Those protests have followed him to the U.S. too. Large numbers of Israeli expatriates are expected to protest outside Wednesday’s meeting in Manhattan. Early this year, Biden voiced his unhappiness over the overhaul, saying Netanyahu “cannot continue down this road” and urging the Israeli leader to find a compromise. Netanyahu’s negotiations with the Israeli opposition have stalled and his coalition has moved ahead with its plan, pushing the first major piece of the legislation through parliament in July. AP Video shot by Ami Bentov. =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel 44(0)2074827482 Email: info@. Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: ​​ Instagram: You can license this story through AP Archive: