JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday vowed to “mend the rift” in a nation deeply divided over his proposed overhaul of the nation’s judiciary. However he supplied no particulars on how he intends to take action and gave no indication that he would decelerate the plan.

Netanyahu delivered his enchantment in a nationally televised tackle after one other day of mass protests throughout the nation in opposition to the plan, and hours after his parliamentary coalition handed the primary in a collection of legal guidelines that make up the overhaul. His imprecise pledges had been shortly rejected by the protest motion, which mentioned it might proceed to oppose “Netanyahu’s try to turn out to be a dictator.”

Protesters blocked visitors on predominant highways and scuffled with police in unrest that exhibits no signal of abating. Police used water cannons to disperse crowds, and dozens of individuals — together with leaders of the protest motion — had been arrested.

The federal government’s plan has plunged the practically 75-year-old nation into considered one of its worst home crises.

Netanyahu and his allies wish to weaken the powers of the judiciary, saying unelected Supreme Courtroom justices and different judges wield an excessive amount of energy.

Critics say the modifications, which might give Netanyahu and his conservative allies the ultimate say in selecting the nation’s judges, will destroy a fragile system of checks and balances. Additionally they say Netanyahu has a battle of curiosity whereas he’s on trial for a number of corruption fees.

In his speech, Netanyahu mentioned he understood the issues of either side. He accused the Supreme Courtroom of intervening in political points but additionally acknowledged issues by his opponents {that a} slender parliamentary majority might impose its will and hurt the rights of LGBTQ folks, Palestinian residents and different minorities.

“We’ll guarantee the essential rights of all Israeli residents — Jews and non-Jews, secular and non secular, ladies, the LGBTQ neighborhood, everybody with out exception,” he mentioned. “I’ll do all the pieces to calm the waters and mend the rift within the nation, as a result of we’re household.”

As he spoke, 1000’s of individuals continued to march in cities throughout Israel, together with a big crowd outdoors of his non-public residence in Jerusalem. Netanyahu pushed again his departure on an official journey to Britain till 4 a.m. on Friday to cope with the disaster.

His opponents shortly rejected the speech.

The grassroots protest motion mentioned it might press forward with the demonstrations, which have taken place weekly for the previous three months.

“Tonight we noticed a dictator-in-the-making who as an alternative of stopping the authorized coup, determined to proceed with the hostile political takeover of the Supreme Courtroom,” it mentioned.

Opposition chief Yair Lapid mentioned Netanyahu made clear he has “no intention of holding true dialogue.” He known as on “accountable” members of Netanyahu’s Likud occasion to talk up in opposition to the plan.

Amongst Lapid’s targets is Protection Minister Yoav Gallant, a prime Likud official who met with Netanyahu shortly earlier than the speech.

In keeping with Israeli media, Gallant voiced his issues that objections by Israeli reservists and different safety forces had been hurting Israel’s worldwide picture and energy of deterrence. Nonetheless, Gallant abruptly canceled a deliberate assertion wherein he was anticipated to name on Netanyahu to freeze the plan.

The opposition is rooted in broad swaths of society — together with enterprise leaders and prime authorized officers. Even the nation’s navy, seen as a beacon of stability by Israel’s Jewish majority, is enmeshed within the political battle, as some reservists are refusing to indicate up for obligation over the modifications. Israel’s worldwide allies have additionally expressed concern.

In a primary step of the overhaul, Netanyahu’s parliamentary coalition accepted laws that may defend the Israeli chief from being deemed unfit to rule due to his trial and claims of a battle of curiosity. Critics say the regulation is tailored for Netanyahu and encourages corruption.

The regulation to guard Netanyahu handed in a 61-47 vote within the 120-seat Knesset, or parliament, after a debate that ran via the evening. It stipulates {that a} prime minister can solely be deemed unfit to rule for well being or psychological causes and that solely he or his authorities could make that call.

Civil society teams have known as on the legal professional common to declare him unfit to rule over his authorized issues. The legal professional common has already barred Netanyahu from direct involvement within the authorized overhaul, saying he’s susceptible to a battle of curiosity.

The Motion for High quality Authorities in Israel, a very good governance group, mentioned it might problem the brand new regulation in court docket.

On Thursday, protesters launched a fourth midweek day of demonstrations. They blocked main thoroughfares, set tires ablaze close to an essential seaport and draped a big Israeli flag and a banner with the nation’s Declaration of Independence over the partitions of Jerusalem’s Outdated Metropolis.

The protests have intensified in current weeks, with plenty of senior Cupboard ministers accosted and heckled by vocal crowds whereas making public appearances. Netanyahu known as on opposition leaders to “cease the anarchy instantly.”

A protest occurred Thursday evening in Bnei Brak, a big ultra-Orthodox metropolis close to Tel Aviv. The overhaul disaster has magnified a longstanding rift between secular Jewish Israelis and non secular ones over how a lot of a task faith ought to play of their day-to-day lives.

Extremely-Orthodox lawmakers in authorities are central drivers of the overhaul as a result of they consider the courts are a menace to their conventional lifestyle. In distinction, secular opponents to the modifications concern they may open the door to non secular coercion. Additionally they object to exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox males from navy obligation, which is obligatory for many Jews.

Together with Thursday’s demonstrations, tens of 1000’s have been displaying up for weekly protests every Saturday evening.

Netanyahu’s authorities rejected a compromise proposal earlier this month meant to ease the disaster. It mentioned that it might gradual the tempo of the modifications, pushing most of them to after a monthlong parliamentary recess in April.

However the authorities is plowing ahead on a key a part of the overhaul, which might grant the federal government management over who turns into a decide. That measure is anticipated to cross subsequent week.

Netanyahu is on trial for fraud, breach of belief and accepting bribes in a collection of scandals involving rich associates and highly effective media moguls. He denies wrongdoing and dismisses critics who say he might discover an escape route from the costs via the authorized overhaul his authorities is advancing.

Israel’s Palestinian minority has largely averted taking part within the demonstrations. Rights teams and Palestinians say Israel’s democratic beliefs have lengthy been tarnished by the nation’s 55-year, open-ended occupation of lands the Palestinians look for an unbiased state and the therapy of Palestinian Israeli residents, who face discrimination in lots of spheres.