Israelis rally ahead of critical vote to weaken power of courts

Thousands of marchers arrived in Jerusalem Saturday, the culmination of a five-day walk from Tel Aviv to protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to weaken the powers of Israel's courts.

The demonstrators arrived the day before Israeli lawmakers begin debating what could become the first element of the plan to be voted into law.

Organizers estimated there could be as many as 30,000 people on the march, while CNN journalists said the number appeared to be closer to 5,000.

The arrival of the march comes as the Knesset, Israel's parliament, prepares to begin on a bill that would strip the Supreme Court of the power to declare government decisions "unreasonable," removing one of the few checks on the government in a country that has no written Constitution.

Netanyahu is pressing on with his plans after pausing them earlier this year in the face of widespread protests and international pressure.

The reasonableness bill is one part of the package and requires two more Knesset votes to become law. It could pass as early as Monday. Other proposals include giving the government a greater say in appointing judges.

Netanyahu and his allies call the measures "reforms" and say they are required to rebalance powers between the courts, lawmakers and the government. Opponents of the plan call it a coup say it threatens to turn Israel into a dictatorship by removing the most significant check on government actions.