JERUSALEM, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Israeli protesters on Thursday blocked highways and demonstrated against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to overhaul the judiciary, hoping to pressure the government to halt the controversial proposal as parliament reconvened on Sunday after its spring recess.
Dozens of rallies were held across the country, on what the protesters called "National Equality Day," marking the 17th consecutive week of protest against the far-right ruling coalition's plan to weaken the Supreme Court and increase the government's powers over the legal system.
Main roads, including the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv, Israel's main expressway, as well as major crossroads across the country, were temporarily blocked by the protesters. Rallies were also held outside the homes of cabinet ministers.
In the West Bank settlement of Kiryat Arba, the "Brothers in Arms," a group of reserved soldiers who object to the legal overhaul protested outside the home of ultranationalist National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
"Instead of improving the personal security of Israeli citizens, the ministers continue to try to pass the judicial coup," the group said in a statement.
The demonstrators also protested the high cost of living in the country, as the price of government-controlled dairy products increased by over 8 percent earlier this week. In central Tel Aviv's Habima Square, protesters poured white dye into a pool of water to protest the milk price hike, while in Jerusalem, activists pasted stickers calling for equality and democracy on milk cartons in dozens of supermarkets.
The police said in a statement that at least three protesters were arrested. ■
