Thousands of Israeli anti-government protesters rallied at the Supreme Court on Monday, the eve of a historic hearing on a bid by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition to curb the Court’s powers, Reuters reports.

The judges will hear appeals against a judicial amendment that was passed by Netanyahu’s national-religious coalition in July and which sparked uproar for what critics say is an attempt to weaken the court.
“Israel was always a democratic country, open, liberal,” said protester David Leshem, “this government wants to change it and we are not going to let them.”
The government’s judicial overhaul campaign has caused Israel’s worst domestic political crisis in years, with hundreds of thousands of people taking part in weekly demonstrations nationwide since January, when it was launched.
Critics say it damages the independence of the court, opens the door to corruption and weakens democracy, while supporters say it will restore balance between the judiciary, legislature and executive by reining in an overreaching bench.
Efforts to reach agreements between Netanyahu and opponents have, so far, been fruitless, adding to fears the crisis will only deepen.
However, a court ruling could come as late as January, leaving time for negotiations over agreed reforms that would offer a reprieve from the protests and market instability.
While some in Netanyahu’s camp have joined calls for compromise, others are taking a tougher line.
Far-right Police Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, called on Netanyahu not to cave in and said his party, Jewish Power, does not back the compromises being mediated by President Isaac Herzog.
Netanyahu’s office responded by saying that if agreements are reached, no one will stop them from going through.
Though Netanyahu’s political rivals have voiced scepticism over his intentions, Benny Gantz, one of the opposition leaders, said on Monday that: “If there is a solution on the table that will safeguard democracy, I’ll be there.”

‘Anarchy’