Violent protests erupted in Tel Aviv following the sacking of Defense Minister Yoav Galant by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called on the government to halt its controversial judicial reform. Tens of thousands of people gathered spontaneously in the coastal metropolis to protest Netanyahu’s move, announced on Sunday by a spokesman for his right-wing conservative Likud party.
In Jerusalem, angry protesters reportedly broke through a roadblock near Netanyahu’s residence, though it was unclear whether the 73-year-old was at home. In light of the situation, the prime minister convened an emergency consultation meeting on how to proceed. According to media reports, the army has been placed on high alert due to the chaotic developments.
The Israeli government is apparently discussing a freeze on its controversial judicial reform at this point. Netanyahu called an emergency meeting. According to the Jerusalem Post, the talks, which began on Sunday evening, continued into the early hours of today. Also according to Israeli media, Netanyahu plans to address the nation this morning.
After protests erupted, Israeli President Isaac Herzog called on the government to halt controversial judicial reform. “For the sake of the unity of the Israeli people, for the sake of accountability, I ask you to stop the legislation immediately,” Herzog wrote on Twitter, in an appeal to the government. “People are gripped by a deep fear,” Herzog said, adding that Israel’s security, economy and society are in danger.
The proposed justice system overhaul, which has sparked mass protests nationwide, would allow Parliament to overrule Supreme Court decisions with a simple majority. Also, politicians will be given more influence in appointing judges.
In a speech on Saturday night, Galant called on Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition to halt its plans for reform, the key elements of which are expected to be implemented in the coming days. The reform would give the government greater influence in the appointment of judges.
Galant had called for a dialogue with opponents, saying national security was being jeopardized by reservists who refused to report for duty to protest judicial reform. In his speech, he said he has heard worrying statements from army commanders in recent weeks, speaking of “anger, pain and disappointment of an intensity I have never experienced before”.
US National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said Washington was “deeply concerned” about the situation in Israel and called for an urgent compromise. “Democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of US-Israel relations,” Watson said in a statement. “Democratic societies are strengthened by checks and balances, and fundamental changes to a democratic system should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support,” the spokeswoman added.
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