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Thousands of Israeli protesters took to the streets on Tuesday and blocked highways leading to Jerusalem, Haifa, and Tel Aviv as part of countrywide demonstrations against the government鈥檚 planned judicial overhaul that has divided the nation.

The demonstrations came the morning after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu鈥檚 parliamentary coalition gave initial approval to a bill to limit the Supreme Court鈥檚 oversight powers, pressing forward with contentious proposed changes to the judiciary despite widespread opposition.

The legislation is one of several bills proposed by Mr. Netanyahu鈥檚 ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox allies. The plan has provoked months of sustained protests by opponents who say it is pushing the country toward authoritarian rule.

Anti-overhaul activists called for nationwide mass demonstrations throughout the day, including protests at Israel鈥檚 main international airport that could disrupt travel.

On Tuesday, 300 reservists from the military鈥檚 cyber unit signed a letter saying they would not volunteer for service, explaining the government has demonstrated 鈥渋t is determined to destroy the state of Israel.鈥�

鈥淪ensitive cyber abilities with the potential for being used for evil must not be given to a criminal government that is undermining the foundations of democracy,鈥� the letter said.

Police used a water cannon to clear protesters who blocked a main artery leading to Jerusalem. Officers arrested several others who had obstructed a highway next to the central city of Modiin. Demonstrators blocked a main highway in Haifa with a large banner reading 鈥淭ogether we will be victorious,鈥� snarling traffic along the beachfront.

Police said 42 people were arrested for public disturbance during the protests.

Arnon Bar-David, head of the country鈥檚 national labor union, the Histadrut, threatened a possible general strike that could paralyze the country鈥檚 economy.

鈥淚f the situation reaches an extreme, we will intervene and employ our strength,鈥� Mr. Bar-David said, calling on Mr. Netanyahu to 鈥渟top the chaos.鈥�

The Histadrut called a general strike in March as the government pushed the judicial overhaul legislation through parliament after weeks of protest. The move shut down large swaths of Israel鈥檚 economy and helped contribute to Mr. Netanyahu鈥檚 decision to freeze the legislation.

But he decided to revive it last month after talks with the political opposition aimed at finding a compromise collapsed.

Mr. Netanyahu鈥檚 allies have proposed a series of changes to the Israeli legal system aimed at weakening what they say are the excessive powers of unelected judges. The proposed changes include giving Mr. Netanyahu鈥檚 allies control over the appointment of judges and giving parliament power to overturn court decisions.

The Netanyahu government, which took office in December, is the most hard-line ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox in Israel鈥檚 75-year history. His allies proposed the sweeping changes to the judiciary after the country held its fifth elections in under four years, all of them seen as a referendum on Mr. Netanyahu鈥檚 fitness to serve as prime minister while on trial for corruption.

Critics of the judicial overhaul say it will upset the country鈥檚 fragile system of checks and balances and concentrate power in the hands of Mr. Netanyahu and his allies. They also say Mr. Netanyahu has a conflict of interest because he is on trial for charges of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes, all of which he has denied.

A wide section of Israeli society, including reserve military officers, business leaders, LGBTQ+ people, and members of other minority groups have joined the protests.

This story was reported by The Associated Press.