[elfsight_social_share_buttons id=”1″]

Following months of protest Israeli lawmakers passed the first part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial reform plan.

After 30 hours of debate the so-called Reasonableness Standard Bill passed the Knesset 64 to 0 – with the opposition boycotting the vote. Israel’s supreme court will no longer be able to strike down what it deems to be “unreasonable” laws passed by lawmakers. Backers of Netanyahu’s overhaul plan say it’s needed to push back against overreach from Israel’s unelected supreme court.

But critics say it removes an important check on the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, protests rage on. Over the weekend, demonstrators blocked streets and chanted outside the Knesset in what marked the 29th week of protest. Police used water cannons to disperse crowds blocking roadways.

Earlier this month, Netanyahu said he supported the protestors’ freedom of speech, but also said he will crack down on demonstrations that infringe on the rights of others.