Jerusalem, Feb 26 : Flag-waving Israelis have gathered in a massive protest for the eighth straight week to press their opposition to government legal reforms critics see as a threat to democracy.

Israeli media reported on Saturday the crowds were again in the tens of thousands, after lawmakers this week took a step towards approving the reforms which are a cornerstone of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's latest administration, which took office in December.

Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, made coalition deals to form the most far-right government in the history of Israel.

Critics, including Supreme Court president Esther Hayut, have condemned the reforms as an assault on the independence of the judiciary.