More than 80,000 Israeli protesters have rallied in Tel Aviv against plans to overhaul the judiciary by the new right-wing coalition government.
The reforms will make it easier for Parliament to overturn Supreme Court decisions, among other things.
Protesters called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed changes an attack on democratic governance.
This follows one of the most religious and strict regimes in Israeli history.
Local media reported that rallies were also held outside the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem and in the northern city of Haifa.
A group of protesters clashed with police while trying to block the Ayalon Highway, a major road in Tel Aviv.
Critics say the reforms will erode judicial independence, promote corruption, undermine the rights of minorities and discredit Israel’s judicial system.
Banners called the new coalition led by Mr. Netanyahu a government of shame.
Among those opposed are Israel’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Esther Hayat and the country’s Attorney General.
The BBC’s Samantha Granville in Tel Aviv saw protesters draped in Israeli flags, carrying posters in Hebrew, and pictures of Mr Netanyahu with an X over his mouth.
There was a group of young girls with red handprints on their faces. He wanted to tell the government that he would not remain silent.
One woman, who asked not to be named, said through tears that she was a second-generation Holocaust survivor.
“My parents migrated from undemocratic regimes to live in a democracy,” he said. “They came to live free from a totalitarian regime. So it’s heartbreaking to see this destruction.”
He and his friend said they expected Mr. Netanyahu to seek radical changes, but never thought they would come so quickly.
The protests are the biggest since Mr Netanyahu’s new coalition government was sworn in in December.
Opposition parties called on Israelis to join the rallies to “save democracy” and protest the planned judicial change.
Under plans announced by Justice Minister Yariv Levin earlier this month, a simple majority in the Knesset (parliament) would effectively have the power to overturn Supreme Court decisions. This would enable the government of the day to legislate without fear of being overturned.
Critics fear the new government could use it to end Netanyahu’s ongoing criminal trial, although the government has not said it will.
Mr Netanyahu is being tried on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust – which he vehemently denies.
