Protesters Rally in Tel Aviv Against Government's Judicial Overhaul

Demonstrators rallied in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Thursday, March 9, in response to a government plan to overhaul the country’s judicial system.

Footage captured by Inna Lazareva shows mounted police facing people beating drums and waving flags on Ayalon Highway. Lazareva’s video also shows police dragging people off the road, and some confrontations. The mood, she said, was “turning nasty”.

Because of the protests, and at the request of Israeli officials, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin changed the schedule of his trip to Israel on March 9, Haaretz said. Austin met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv. In the wake of a recent flareup of violence, Austin “urged immediate steps to de-escalate violence and work towards a just and lasting peace,” a statement said. Credit: Inna Lazareva via Storyful