Israeli tech firms stage second protest over judicial reforms

Despite heavy rain, Israeli economists say the planned reforms could cause long-term damage to Israel's economy. High-tech professionals staged their second protest against the plans on Tuesday in central Tel Aviv.

The reforms will limit the power of the Supreme Court to overturn government decisions or laws approved by the Knesset, as well as tighten political control over judicial appointments.

Economy Minister Nir Barkat, who founded a software company, said that there was a challenge internally. ALSO READ: Massive protests were held in Israel against judicial reforms.

Barkat, who spoke English, said that they had to separate the challenge, the economic challenge, and political challenges internally in Israel, and was flanked by floor-to- ceiling screens with active graphics of computer code racing over a skyline of skyscrapers.

In separate comments later to the Associated Press, Barkat rejected concerns that high tech workers might leave Israel, saying the country would remain a beacon for talent and innovation.

Look at missions that come here from all over the world. They're here because they understand that talent is here. It's created in the army, it's created in our DNA. There is no doubt that it will continue scaling and growing, according to Barkat.

He said that the majority of people who come to do business don't care or don't look into other issues that we have - we're a democracy, we're a very strong democracy.

READ MORE: Israel's Netanyahu defends the plan to rein in the judiciary.

More than 250 top economists, including former central bank officials, expressed deep concern that weakening the judiciary will lead to long-term damage to Israel's economy and quality of life. Barkat was speaking at the Cybertech Global 2023 conference in Tel Aviv, an annual event that organizers say has attracted almost 20,000 people and some 100 companies from 86 countries this year, in a letter published by Israeli news site Ynet last week.