Wednesday night saw hundreds of left-wing activists protest in Tel Aviv the establishment of a new National Guard to answer to Itamar Ben Gevir, far-right National Security Minister.

Protests took place as Ben Gvir revealed plans to form the force of 2,000 members and amid ongoing protests against government reforms of the judiciary system.

Due to the protest under the banner “No to Ben Gvir militia,” many Tel Aviv’s main roads were temporarily closed.

Standing Together, a social justice group, led the protest, along with other organizations. Similar rallies were also held at Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheba as well as Rehovot, Rehovot, Holon, and Jerusalem.

Images of the protest in Tel Aviv show many Pride and Palestinian flags scattered among the Israeli flags. Protesters carried banners with slogans like “there is no democracy without occupation” as well posters demonizing Ben Gvir.

The head of Hadash-Ta’al, a predominantly Arab political faction, compared the National Guard to the “brown shirts” Nazi paramilitary when he addressed the protest.

MK Ayman Odeh stated, “Or the yellow shirt,” referring to the color used in the logos of many Israeli nationalist groups. This includes the Kach movement, a Jewish supremacist movement in which Ben Gvir was involved as a teenager.

Kach was established by the late extremist Rabbi Meir Kahane. Ben Gvir and other members Otzma Yuhudit (Jewish Power), described themselves as being disciples of. Ben Gvir recently tried to distance himself from Kahane’s extreme positions but spoke at a November memorial event.

Odeh stated at the protest, “We won’t allow you to create fascist militias for the service of Kahanism.”

On Wednesday, Ben Gvir presented details of his proposal to create the National Guard. These details will be submitted to the government for approval at the weekly cabinet meeting.

The text of the resolution that will be reviewed by the cabinet outlines the National Guard’s mission to combat “nationalist crime”, terrorism, and restore governance wherever necessary.

Opposition politicians and civil rights groups have expressed grave concern about the proposal to place such a force under direct control of a minister of the government. They argue that it could politicize police work and undermine equality in law enforcement.

To implement the creation of the force, Ben Gvir, the Prime Minister’s Office and Defense Ministry, Justice Ministry, Finance Ministry, Israel Police, and IDF will form a committee if the resolution is passed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved Ben Gvir’s plan for the National Guard Monday night. It was widely believed that the move was in return for Ben Gvir’s resignation from his threat of quitting the coalition following Netanyahu’s announcement of a pause on judicial overhaul legislation.

Protest leaders claim that the government intends to continue its legislative push to weaken the judiciary, despite Netanyahu’s decision to delay the overhaul for negotiation.

Ben Gvir has voiced criticism of police handling of protests and called for harsher tactics against demonstrators. He has also sought greater control over the force since becoming the national security minister.