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Israeli Protests Erupt as Govt. Pushes Through Major Reform

Israelis demonstrate against the contentious judicial overhaul, near the house of Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who supports and leads the judicial changes, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nationalist coalition government presses on with its judicial overhaul, in Modiin, Israel March 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Israelis demonstrate against the contentious judicial overhaul, near the house of Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who supports and leads the judicial changes, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nationalist coalition government presses on with its judicial overhaul, in Modiin, Israel March 9, 2023. (Reuters)
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Israeli Protests Erupt as Govt. Pushes Through Major Reform

Israelis demonstrate against the contentious judicial overhaul, near the house of Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who supports and leads the judicial changes, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nationalist coalition government presses on with its judicial overhaul, in Modiin, Israel March 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Israelis demonstrate against the contentious judicial overhaul, near the house of Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who supports and leads the judicial changes, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nationalist coalition government presses on with its judicial overhaul, in Modiin, Israel March 9, 2023. (Reuters)

Thousands of Israelis took to the streets Saturday to protest the government's decision to forge ahead with its judicial reform package despite widespread opposition.

Demonstrators waving Israeli flags rallied in the country's commercial hub Tel Aviv, keeping up the momentum of months of protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposals.

"We still love this country and we're trying to fix all the problems," said film composer Itay Amram.

"We're not accepting any of it," the 27-year-old told AFP, railing against what he saw as the government's "constitutional revolution".

From the northern city of Haifa to Eilat on the Red Sea, protest organizers promoted rallies nationwide in the biggest test of public opinion since the government put a key plank of its reforms to a final vote in parliament on Monday.

The vote to scrap the "reasonableness" law, through which the Supreme Court can overturn government decisions such as ministerial appointments, was met with concern from Israel's top allies including the United States.

Israeli medics responded with a brief walkout, while scores of military veterans have vowed to end their volunteer duties and trade unions are mulling further industrial action.

Netanyahu argues the reform package is necessary to rebalance the relationship between elected officials and the judiciary, but the premier's opponents accuse him of a power grab.

"We refuse to serve a dictatorship," warned a placard held by a demonstrator in Tel Aviv.

While an official turnout figure was not available, Israel's Channel 13 estimated more than 170,000 people turned out in the city.

Wrapped in an Israeli flag in Jerusalem, near the prime minister's home, Lotem Pinchover said she felt "heartbroken, helpless" after Monday's vote.

"I'm very scared of what's happening in Israel now and I'm very worried about the future of my daughter," the 40-year-old academic said.

Months of protests since the judicial package was unveiled in January -- including some in support of the government -- have led to fears about widening fissures within Israeli society.

Stationed at a "psychological first aid" stand for protesters in Jerusalem, therapist Pnina Manes said the situation "tears families apart".

"It's started to feel like -- and it's very sad for me to say so -- like two different groups" in Israeli society, the 59-year-old said.

There have been multiple petitions filed at the Supreme Court this week against Monday's vote, with hearings set to be held in September.

The broader reform package includes ambitions to hand the government a greater say in the appointment of judges, as well as downgrading the status of legal advisers attached to ministers.

The legislative process is currently on hold due to parliament's summer recess, with Netanyahu pledging openness in negotiations over future steps.

Opposition chiefs remain sceptical of talks with the government, a coalition which also includes far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, after earlier dialogue broke down.

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A ‘Particularly Dangerous Situation’ Is Forecast for Fire-Scarred Los Angeles Area

An aerial view of a fire truck near homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 13, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
An aerial view of a fire truck near homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 13, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
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A ‘Particularly Dangerous Situation’ Is Forecast for Fire-Scarred Los Angeles Area

An aerial view of a fire truck near homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 13, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
An aerial view of a fire truck near homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 13, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

Millions of Southern Californians were on edge as a final round of dangerous fire weather was forecast for the region on Wednesday, along with a rare warning of a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” for an area near where two massive blazes have killed at least 25 and destroyed thousands of homes.

Firefighters got a reprieve Tuesday when winds were unexpectedly light and they were able to make progress battling the two huge Los Angeles area fires and quickly snuff out several new fires.

The Eaton Fire burning just north of Los Angeles and the Palisades Fire that destroyed much of the seaside LA neighborhood of Pacific Palisades broke out Jan. 7 in conditions similar to what’s expected Wednesday. High winds last week pushed flames at remarkable speed and carried fire-sparking embers sometimes miles away.

The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings – done when temperatures are warm, humidity is low and strong winds are expected – from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. from the Central Coast 275 miles (443 kilometers) south to the border with Mexico. The “Particularly Dangerous Situation” was in effect for an area that includes parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

“Key message: We are not out of the woods yet,” the weather service said in a post late Tuesday. “The winds underperformed today, but one more enhancement could happen tonight-tomorrow.”

More than 77,000 households were without electricity as utilities shut off power to prevent their lines from sparking new blazes.

A state of alert

Weary and anxious residents were told to be ready to flee at a moment’s notice. They remained vigilant, keeping an eye on the skies and on each other: Police announced roughly 50 arrests, for looting, flying drones in fire zones, violating curfew and other crimes.

Of those, three people were arrested on suspicion of arson after being seen setting small fires that were immediately extinguished, LA Police Chief Jim McDonnell said. One was using a barbecue lighter, another ignited brush and a third tried to light a trash can, he said. All were far outside the disaster zones. Authorities have not determined a cause for any of the major fires.

Among nine people charged with looting was a group that stole an Emmy award from an evacuated house, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

The biggest worry remained the threat from intense winds. Now backed by firefighters from other states, Canada and Mexico, crews were deployed to attack flareups or new blazes. The firefighting force was much bigger than a week ago, when the first wave of fires began destroying thousands of homes in what could become the nation's costliest fire disaster.

Kaylin Johnson and her family planned to spend the night at their home, one of the few left standing in Altadena, near Pasadena. They intended to keep watch to ward off looting and to hose down the house and her neighbors’ properties to prevent flareups.

Preparing for another outbreak

Planes doused homes and hillsides with bright pink fire-retardant chemicals, while crews and fire engines deployed to particularly vulnerable spots with dry brush.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other officials who were criticized over their initial response expressed confidence that the region is ready to face the new threat. The mayor said she was able to fly over the disaster areas, which she described as resembling the aftermath of a “dry hurricane.”

Winds this time were not expected to reach the same fierce speeds seen last week but they could ground firefighting aircraft, LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said.

He urged homeless people to avoid starting fires for warmth and to seek shelter.

Wildfires on the rise across LA

With almost no rain in more than eight months, the brush-filled region has had more than a dozen wildfires this year, mostly in the greater Los Angeles area.

Firefighters have jumped on small blazes that popped up, quickly smothering several in Los Angeles county, including a blaze Tuesday evening in the Angeles National Forest.

The four largest fires around the nation’s second-biggest city have scorched more than 63 square miles (163 square kilometers), roughly three times the size of Manhattan. Of these, the Eaton Fire near Pasadena was roughly one-third contained, while the largest blaze, in Pacific Palisades on the coast, was far less contained.

The death toll is likely to rise, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. Nearly 30 people were still missing, he said Tuesday. Some people reported as missing earlier have been found.

Just under 90,000 people in the county remained under evacuation orders, half the number from last week.

Hollywood on hold Hollywood’s awards season has been put on hiatus because of the crisis. The Oscar nominations have been delayed twice, and some organizations postponed their awards shows and announcements without rescheduling.