Israelis rally for seventh week against judicial reform

Tens of thousands of Israelis rallied nationwide for the seventh straight week, days before parliament is due to vote on controversial legal reforms advanced by the government.

The proposed overhaul being pushed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government would allow parliament to overrule Supreme Court decisions with a simple majority and boost politicians' power over judicial appointments.

A crowd marched through central Tel Aviv, with many of them waving Israeli flags and chanting "democracy".

Local media said tens of thousands were protesting in Tel Aviv, but did not provide an exact estimate.

Netanyahu and Justice Minister Yariv Levin say the reforms are necessary to correct a power imbalance between elected representatives and Israel's top court.

President Isaac Herzog, who holds a largely ceremonial role, had urged Netanyahu's government to suspend the legislative process and hold talks with the opposition in hopes of reaching a compromise.

But while Netanyahu and other members of his coalition have expressed willingness to talk, they refused to halt legislation, with parliament set to begin voting on two of the new bills.

Some of Netanyahu's critics have argued the premier was seeking to undermine a judicial system he has accused of targeting him unfairly for political reasons.

Netanyahu denies the charges against him of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.