Israel protests: doctors announce strike amid mass demonstrations over judicial overhaul

Passing of key part of Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to reduce power of courts is met with calls for strike action and street protests by thousands

Doctors across Israel are set to strike on Tuesday in protest against the passing of a key part of Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul, after thousands of protesters took to the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Monday night.

The Israeli Medical Association, which says it represents about 95% of doctors, said it would hold a 24-hour protest, with exemptions for medical care in Jerusalem and emergency care across the country. It held a brief strike last week as a warning, arguing the judicial overhaul would devastate the healthcare system". The doctors are set to be joined in strike action on Tuesday by 73% of interns, according to the Intern Doctors Organization. Health minister Moshe Arbel is reportedly seeking an injunction to prevent the doctors' strike going ahead.