What's happening in Israel? Jewish community members react

 

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Israel this weekend over fears that the country's democracy was being threatened.

Tensions have been building for months, but it all turned to chaos just recently after the people of Israel felt like their judicial system was about to be overturned.

Universities, hospitals, banks and even part of Israel's main airport all shut down, as the largest union in the country, for the first time in history, called for a strike.

Massive crowds were seen blocking a major highway in Tel Aviv, lighting fires and chanting 'democracy,' while in Jerusalem, many people were seen gathered outside the parliament building and the prime minister's home.

"It's incredibly inspiring and it's an indication of what it means when citizens really stand for their democracy," said Rabbi Joel Alter.

Glendale Rabbi Alter, of the Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid, told CBS 58 on Monday that the preservation of the country's checks and balances has been threatened.

Tens of thousands of people erupted in a new wave of protests over the weekend after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was fired, openly warning the public that a deep divide was opening up in Israel because of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans.

"They do not seem to be honestly grounded in concern for a more balanced democracy, but rather a concentration of power," explained Rabbi Alter.

Netanyahu introduced proposals that would allow the government to control any committees that appoint judges and make it harder for courts to remove a leader who is unfit for office -- meaning parliament would overrule the Supreme Court.

Hazzan Jeremy Stein, of the Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid, told CBS 58 that he too stands in solidarity with those standing up for democracy in the Jewish homeland.

"The Jewish people and the nation of Israel has withstood many challenges, externally and internally, and we will prevail," he said.

Early Monday afternoon, the prime minister acknowledged that he is "aware of the tensions" and is "listening to the people," so his plans have been temporarily halted and delayed to further discuss sometime in April.