When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with his UK counterpart in London on Friday he was greeted by protests organised by British Jewish and Israeli groups, as well as pro-Palestine activists.
Jeers and chants of “shame” could be heard as Netanyahu exited his vehicle and walked towards 10 Downing Street, where he shook hands with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Netanyahu was in the UK to discuss a wide range of issues, including security and the need to strengthen strategic ties between Britain and Israel.
The British prime minister raised the importance of upholding democratic values, including the proposed judicial overhaul in Israel, during the meeting, according to his office.
According to Axios journalist Barak Ravid, Sunak said he was “concerned about the negative implications” of the judicial overhaul and stressed the “democratic values that underpin our relationship.”
Most of the protesters that had gathered in London appeared to be pro-Israel, waving Israeli flags and chanting slogans, including: “Netanyahu go to jail, you can’t speak for Israel”.
Joe, an Israeli visiting London who joined the protests, told Middle East Eye: “They are trying to change the system in Israel,” referring to the judicial overhaul planned by Netanyahu’s far-right coalition government.
He described the London demonstration as “beautiful… everyone’s doing it from the heart”.
The proposed judicial reforms would give parliament both the power to override Supreme Court decisions through a simple majority vote, and de facto control over court nominees, a role currently held by a mixed panel of politicians, judges, and bar association members.
It would also limit the court’s ability to overturn unconstitutional legislation.