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Israeli lawmakers on Monday approved a key portion of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s divisive plan to reshape the country’s justice system despite massive protests that have exposed unprecedented fissures in Israeli society.

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Israeli security forces use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking the entrance of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem.RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images

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An aerial view shows protesters blocking a road leading to the Prime Minter's office at a demonstration following a parliament vote on a contested bill that limits Supreme Court powers to void some government decisions, in Jerusalem.ILAN ROSENBERG/Reuters

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A policeman shoves a demonstrator during a protest rally against the Israeli government's judicial reform plan in Tel Aviv.JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images

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A man argues with demonstrators as they block traffic during a protest rally against the Israeli government's judicial reform plan in Tel Aviv.JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images

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Israelis protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system, in Jerusalem.Ariel Schalit/The Associated Press

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Israeli police use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking a road during a protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system, in Jerusalem.Ariel Schalit/The Associated Press

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Demonstrators march against the Israeli government's judicial reform plan during a mass protest in Tel Aviv.JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images

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A woman uses a megaphone as demonstrators march against the Israeli government's judicial reform plan during a mass protest in Tel Aviv.JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images

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Israeli security forces deploy to remove protesters blocking the entrance of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem.HAZEM BADER/AFP/Getty Images

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Israeli Lawmakers celebrate by taking a selfie with Minister of Justice Yariv Levin, second right with glasses, after approving a key portion of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's divisive plan to reshape the country's justice system at Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem.Maya Alleruzzo/The Associated Press

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Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, is surrounded by lawmakers at a session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem.Maya Alleruzzo/The Associated Press

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An aerial view shows protesters holding an Israeli flag during a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government's judicial overhaul near the Knesset.ILAN ROSENBERG/Reuters

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Demonstrators are sprayed with water from a water cannon during a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government's judicial overhaul, in Jerusalem.AMMAR AWAD/Reuters

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Israeli security forces remove protesters blocking the entrance of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem.HAZEM BADER/AFP/Getty Images

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Protesters are removed by Israeli security forces after blocking the entrance of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem.HAZEM BADER/AFP/Getty Images

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Israeli police scuffle with demonstrators during a protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system, outside the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem.Ohad Zwigenberg/The Associated Press

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Security forces stand guard as protesters wave the national flag at the entrance of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem.MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/Getty Images

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Protesters are removed by Israeli security forces from blocking the entrance of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem.HAZEM BADER/AFP/Getty Images

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