Israel passes law protecting Netanyahu as protests continue

Israelis protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to overhaul the judicial system (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Israel’s parliament has passed the first of several laws that make up its contentious judicial overhaul as protesters opposing the changes staged another day of demonstrations over what they see as the country’s descent toward autocracy.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition approved legislation that would protect the Israeli leader from being deemed unfit to rule over his corruption trial and claims of a conflict of interest surrounding his involvement in the legal changes.