News brief 34th weekend of judicial reform protests includes Arab violence, women's rights, Ukraine grievances

Thousands of Israelis took to the streets in towns across the country for the 34th straight weekend of protests against the government’s judicial reforms, Israeli media reported.

In addition to the more common issues, namely judicial reform and general protests against the government, the main demonstration in Tel Aviv focused on a wave of crime in the Arab Israeli community. Tira Mayor Mamoun Abd al-Hay delivered a keynote speech during the protest, just days after Tira Municipality Director Abd al-Rahman Kashua was assassinated.

Attendees also protested against National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s policy failures and recent statements, following a series of incidents, including discrimination against women in public spaces by ultra-orthodox Jews, as well as the Israeli government's handling of Ukrainian refugees in Israel.