Watch: mass protests outside Israeli parliament against Netanyahu's judicial reforms

Tens of thousands of Israelis protested outside the parliament building on Monday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government formally launched a contentious plan to overhaul the country's legal system.

Protesters were hoisting flags, blowing on horns and chanting "democracy" and "no to dictatorship" during the rally.

It was the largest protest outside the Knesset in years and reflected the deep divisions over the plan.

The proposed changes have triggered weeks of mass demonstrations, drawn cries of protests from influential business leaders and former military men and even prompted a statement of concern from US President Joe Biden.

Netanyahu and his supporters say the proposed changes are needed to rein in a judiciary that wields too much power.

But his critics say the judicial overhaul is tantamount to a coup and will destroy Israeli democracy.

They also say that Netanyahu, who is on trial for a series of corruption charges, has a conflict of interest.