In Israel, thousands took to the streets following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who called for a suspension of judicial reform. Demonstrators blocked the major Ayalon highway in Tel Aviv and broke through to the residence of the head of government in Jerusalem. Police use water cannons to disperse protesters.
Thousands of demonstrators in Jerusalem broke through the last police checkpoint in front of the residence, an Israeli publication reports. Walla. According to “Channel 12”, violent clashes took place on the spot. Law enforcement agencies are trying to push back the protesters with water cannons. In addition, in Jerusalem, demonstrators blocked the highway in the direction of the city. According to the state TV channel Kan-11, regarding 58,000 people gathered at the protests in Tel Aviv.
The judicial reform proposed by Mr. Netanyahu’s government involves the transfer of control to the parliamentary majority over the process of selecting judges of the Supreme Court. The authorities also want to abandon the legislative principle that allows the Supreme Court to overturn government decisions. Mr. Netanyahu refused to suspend the reform. For several months, hundreds of thousands of people have been protesting in Israel.
For more information regarding the events in Israel following the resignation of the Minister of Defense, see the material “Kommersant” “The Israeli Prime Minister sacrificed security.”
