Forming a sea of blue and white Israeli flags, the protesters chanted "democracy" in a show of support for the Supreme Court, which on Tuesday will convene its entire 15-judge bench for the first time in Israeli history.
The judges will hear appeals against a judicial amendment that was passed by Netanyahu's national-religious coalition in July and which sparked uproar for what critics say is an attempt to weaken the court.
'ANARCHY'The appellants in Tuesday's hearing - opposition lawmakers and watchdog groups - say the amendment removes vital democratic checks and balances and invites abuses of power.
In its legal response to the petitions, the government has said the Supreme Court has no authority to even review the so-called "reasonableness" amendment to a quasi-constitutional Basic Law, and said the debate could "lead to anarchy".
Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges he denies, says the judicial changes are meant to balance a Supreme Court that has become too interventionist.
Persons:
Benjamin Netanyahu's, Israel, David Leshem, Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu, Itamar Ben, Gvir, Isaac Herzog, Benny Gantz, Maayan Lubell, Angus MacSwan, Mark Potter
Organizations:
Supreme, Netanyahu's, reining, Israeli, Jewish, Thomson
Locations:
JERUSALEM, Jerusalem