An estimated 80,000 Israeli settlers gathered at Tel Aviv’s Habima Square in intermittent rain on Saturday evening in order to protest Netanyahu government’s plans to ratify amendment to the judicial system, after a week of growing tension and harsh rhetoric between the reform’s supporters and opposers.

The planned amedment is being spearheaded by Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee chairman MK Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionist Party. The plan intends to give the Knesset and the government greater control over the judicial system.

This includes giving the Knesset with a 61-MK majority the power to overturn High Court rulings; giving the coalition complete power to appoint High Court judges; cancel the “legal unreasonable factor,” which the High Court uses to block decisions made by the government; and making government legal advisors personal appointments of their ministers and block their ability to give binding legal opinions.

The loudest cheers were reserved for former Justice Minister, Tzipi Livni.

“A government in Israel went to war against the democratic institutions themselves, in order to rule without straits. No debate, no legitimate criticism, but political takeover. No, elections do not give those in power to destroy democracy itself.

“We will stop you and we will not compromise. Because democracy in Israel, our freedom and our rights are not parts of political trade. They can call us traitors, but we are the ones who are protecting the homeland from them. They can threaten us with handcuffs – we are not afraid,” Livni said.

Throughout the demonstration, the crowd chanted “Bibi go home”, “Disgrace”, and “Democracy.”

Source: Israeli media