Thousands of Israelis took to the streets Saturday night to protest plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new authorities that opponents say threaten democracy and freedoms.

The protesters gathered within the central metropolis of Tel Aviv days after essentially the most right-wing and religiously conservative authorities within the nation’s 74-year historical past was sworn in.

“The settler government is against me,” learn one placard. Another banner learn, “Housing, Livelihood, Hope.” Some protesters carried rainbow flags.

The protest was led by left-wing and Arab members of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. They contend that proposed plans by the brand new Cabinet will hinder judicial system and widen societal gaps.

The left-wing protesters slammed Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who on Wednesday unveiled the federal government’s long-promised overhaul of the judicial system that goals to weaken the nation’s Supreme Court.

Critics accused the federal government of declaring warfare on the authorized system, saying the plan will upend Israel’s system of checks and balances and undermine its democratic establishments by giving absolute energy to the brand new governing coalition.

“We are really afraid that our country is going to lose the democracy and we are going to a dictatorship just for reasons of one person which wants to get rid of his law trial,” said Danny Simon, 77, a protester from Yavne, south of Tel Aviv. He was referring to Netanyahu, who was indicted on corruption charges in 2021, allegations that he has denied.

Protesters also called for peace and co-existence between Jews and Arab residents of the country.

“We can see right now many laws being advocated for against LGBTQ, against Palestinians, against larger minorities in Israel,” mentioned Rula Daood of “Standing Together,” a grassroots motion of Arabs and Jews. “We are here to say loud and clear that all of us, Arabs and Jews and different various communities inside of Israel, demand peace, equality and justice.”