Demographics and grievances widen Israeli judicial divide

As Israel’s judicial crisis reached crescendo, rival demonstrators passed each other on the escalators of a Jerusalem metro station – some arriving to picket parliament and others headed to Tel Aviv for a counter-rally backing the government.
Both sides carried national blue-and-white flags and placards promoting democracy. Polite smiles and sportsmanly high-fives were exchanged across the handrails.
But for many Israelis, the two camps – one rising, the other on its way down – are more polarised than ever. For them, Monday’s planned ratification of a curb on Supreme Court powers is a symptom, rather than a cause, of the rifts.
Those favouring the legislation are largely religious-nationalists who, by mobilising their growing numbers,helped Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu return to office in December.