JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli protesters blocked the primary freeway from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Wednesday, as lawmakers had been set to plough forward with a contentious judicial overhaul that opponents see as a risk to democracy.

“Israel shouldn’t be a dictatorship, Israel shouldn’t be Hungary,” the protesters known as, waving blue and white Israeli flags.

Demonstrations had been anticipated to accentuate nationwide in what protest organisers have dubbed a “day of disruption”. Israel’s far-right Nationwide Safety Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir mentioned he wouldn’t enable a “mutiny”, or “anarchists” to dam roads.

The reform was proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s nationalist-religious coalition authorities in January. It contains giving the federal government decisive sway in choosing judges and limits the scope of the Supreme Courtroom to strike down laws or rule in opposition to the manager.

Critics say that this might significantly weaken judicial independence, given Israel has no structure and just one home of parliament that’s managed by the coalition.   

In parliament on Wednesday, the Knesset’s Structure, Justice and Legislation Committee was set to present preliminary approval to extra proposals within the plan.

Warning the nation was on the point of “constitutional and social collapse,” President Isaac Herzog, whose function is essentially ceremonial, is attempting to formulate a compromise on the adjustments.

The plan has but to be written into regulation, nevertheless it has already affected the Israeli shekel and drawn concern from some Western allies who’ve signalled concern concerning the democratic well being of the nation if the federal government goes by with the overhaul.

“Decelerate just a little a bit, possibly carry folks collectively, try to construct some consensus,” U.S. Ambassador Tom Nides mentioned at Tel Aviv College’s convention of the Institute for Nationwide Safety Research late on Tuesday.

Netanyahu, on trial on corruption prices that he denies, says the adjustments will restore steadiness between the branches of presidency and increase enterprise. Economists and authorized consultants have mentioned it should isolate Israel and wreak havoc on its economic system.