Britain warned Benjamin Netanyahu to preserve “the independence of Israel’s judiciary” on Tuesday after the passing of a highly-controversial new law curbing the powers of the Supreme Court.
The Foreign Office also urged Israel’s Prime Minister to ensure “a robust system of checks and balances” in the country.
It issued the strong statement after Israel’s parliament on Monday approved the first major law in Mr Netanyahu’s contentious plan to overhaul the country’s justice system, triggering a new burst of mass protests and drawing accusations that he was pushing the country toward authoritarian rule.
The vote, passed unanimously by Mr Netanyahu’s governing coalition after the opposition stormed out of the hall, deepened the fissures that have tested the delicate social ties that bind the country, rattled the cohesion of its powerful military and repeatedly drew concern from Israel’s closest ally, the United States.
As Mr Netanyahu’s allies celebrated their victory and vowed to press ahead with more changes, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and opponents said they would challenge the new law in the Supreme Court.
The overhaul calls for sweeping changes aimed at curbing the powers of the judiciary, from limiting the Supreme Court’s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions to changing the way judges are selected.
Mr Netanyahu and his allies say the changes strengthen democracy by limiting the authority of unelected judges and giving elected officials more powers over decision-making.
But in London, the Foreign Office said: “As the Prime Minister discussed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this year, the UK’s strong relationship with Israel has always been underpinned by our shared democratic values.
“While Israel’s exact constitutional arrangements are a matter for Israelis, we urge the Israeli government to build consensus and avoid division, ensuring that a robust system of checks and balances and the independence of Israel’s judiciary are preserved.”
Israel’s opposition leader Yair Lapid said after the vote: “It’s a sad day.”
“This is not a victory for the coalition. This is the destruction of Israeli democracy.”
“Today we did a necessary democratic act, an act that is intended to return a measure of balance between the branches of government,” Mr Netanyahu said in a televised address on Monday night.
Mr Netanyahu vowed to seek renewed dialogue with the political opposition and called for national unity.
“Let us reach agreements,” he said.
“I extend my hand in a call for peace and mutual respect between us.”
Protesters see the overhaul as a power grab fuelled by personal and political grievances of Mr Netanyahu - who is on trial for corruption charges - and his partners.
As the prime minister spoke, Israel’s Channel 13 TV showed a split screen with a police water cannon spraying crowds of demonstrators.
Thousands of people, many waving blue-and-white Israeli flags, gathered outside the Knesset, or parliament, and the Supreme Court, and jammed Jerusalem’s main motorway.
Walls and fences were plastered with stickers reading “We won’t serve a dictator”, “Democracy or rebellion” and “Save Israel from Netanyahu”.
Police tried to clear the crowds with water cannons spraying skunk-scented water.
Many protesters put plugs in their noses or held up sprigs of rosemary plucked from nearby bushes to try to control the stench.
“This puts us on the way to dictatorship,” said protester Danny Kimmel, a 55-year-old programme manager.
“You don’t do this to people who are protesting. It’s their right.”
Thousands of people also demonstrated in central Tel Aviv - the epicentre of months of anti-government protests.
Scuffles took place between police and protesters, with at least eight people arrested and protesters lighting bonfires.
Police said they arrested a driver who hit a group of protesters in central Israel, injuring three people.
The White House, which has repeatedly urged Mr Netanyahu to pause his overhaul plan until he has a broad consensus, expressed regret.
“It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority,” it said.
