Sawt Falasteen - Netanyahu in 'good condition' after surgery as key vote nears on judicial overhaul

Tens of thousands of protesters have again taken to the streets against Netanyahu's proposal to curb the powers of judges, which critics fear will threaten democracy, while lawmakers started discussing a major plank of the package.

A vote was expected Monday in the Knesset on a central measure that would limit Supreme Court judges' ability to strike down government decisions they deem "unreasonable".

Netanyahu's government, which includes far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies, argues that the proposed reforms would prevent overreach by unelected judges and ensure a better balance of power.

Opponents accuse Netanyahu, who has been fighting corruption charges in court, of a conflict of interest and some protesters have labelled him the "crime minister".

Inside the chamber, centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid said on Sunday that "we want to continue to live in a Jewish and a democratic state ... We must stop this legislation."

As the crisis looked set to come to a head, Netanyahu's office announced overnight that the 73-year-old would undergo surgery to implant a pacemaker, days after he had been hospitalised for a reported spell of dizziness.

Before the operation, Netanyahu explained in a video message that "a week ago I had a monitoring device implanted and this device beeped this evening and announced that I needed to get a pacemaker".

"I have to do this tonight, I feel great and I listen to my doctors," he said.

The Sheba Medical Center said on Sunday, after the operation, that "the prime minister's medical condition is good" and that he remained for observation in the cardiology department.

His office said Sunday that the procedure "was successfully concluded" and that Netanyahu was "expected to be discharged during the course of the day".

Netanyahu's scheduled trips to Turkey and Cyprus planned for later this week would be postponed, but no new dates had yet been fixed, said his office, where Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin temporarily assumed the premier's duties.

- 'We can still stop' -

The proposed judicial revamp has split the nation and, since its unveiling in January, set off one of the biggest protest movements in Israel's history, also sparking concern in Washington and among other allies abroad.

Opposition figure Benny Gantz also called for halting the legislative process on the bills. "We can still stop, come to an agreement on the reasonability clause," he told the Knesset. "We have to stop everything."

The debate was expected to last into Monday morning, with more than 20 lawmakers scheduled to speak against the bill, according to a list provided by parliament.

If approved, the "reasonability" clause would be the first major component of the overhaul to become law. Other proposed changes include allowing the government a greater say in the appointment of judges.

The protests, meanwhile, have drawn support from across the political and social spectrum, among secular and religious groups, peace activists and military reservists, blue-collar and tech sector workers.

Tens of thousands again protested in Tel Aviv on Saturday, for the 29th weekly rally, many wearing shirts emblazoned with the word "Democracy".

On Sunday, hundreds of protesters, many carrying Israeli flags, marched through Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem's Old City and prayed at the Western Wall, the holiest place where Jews can pray.

Some blew Shofar, the Jewish holy horn, others formed a human chain that spanned key locations including Jaffa Gate.

More protests were planned for later Sunday, when right-wing government supporters were also scheduled to rally.

One protester opposed to the judicial reform package, Shanna Orlik, said she was rallying against what she called a "misogynist and far-right government".

"We don't have a constitution, and the only thing that protects our rights is the Supreme Court, and the government intends to destroy that," she said.

R.Halabi--SF-PST