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New Delhi: Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged the government on Monday to immediately halt a controversial plan to overhaul the judiciary, warning that it endangers the country’s security, economy and society.
The President has made this appeal after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed his Minister of Defense for opposing the plan, a day before the protesters took to the streets on a large scale.
Following the decision that fired the defense minister, thousands of demonstrators blocked a Tel Aviv highway, while police clashed with crowds in front of Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem.
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The government’s plan to change the judiciary was opposed not only in the country but also during Netanyahu’s visit to Italy, Germany and Britain by thousands of Jewish expatriates.
Gallant had said on Saturday night that the change in the judiciary was “a threat to the security of the country”.
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Angered by Gallant’s televised speech, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement Sunday evening, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on March 26, 2023.”
In Tel Aviv, protesters blocked a main highway and lit large bonfires, while police clashed with protesters gathered outside Netanyahu’s private residence in Jerusalem.
The government’s plan to change the judiciary was opposed not only in the country but also during Netanyahu’s visit to Italy, Germany and Britain by thousands of Jewish expatriates.
These demonstrations have also worried business leaders, former security chiefs and Israel’s close ally America.
Arnon Bar-David, head of Israel’s largest trade union, the Histadrut, announced a “historic” strike on Monday in an attempt to “stop the provocation” of the controversial government plan.
The Israeli newspaper ‘The Times’ quoted Bar-David as saying, “We are concerned about the future of Israel. We cannot allow further polarization of the country.”
Bar-David said that if Prime Minister Netanyahu does not announce to stop the radical changes in the judiciary, then the strike will start from Monday itself.
Israel’s main airport, Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, stopped flights shortly after the “historic labor strike” was announced.
The National Council of Students and Youth, which represents high and middle school students, announced a national strike from Monday morning.
There are unconfirmed reports in the Hebrew media that Netanyahu may make an announcement today. He held meetings with political allies throughout the night. There is no official confirmation of this yet.
As the protests intensified, some leaders of the ruling Likud party expressed their willingness to compromise.
Netanyahu’s confidant and Culture Minister Miki Johar said the party would support the Prime Minister if he wanted to stop the proposal for radical changes in the judiciary.
need settlement asap
In view of the dismissal of the Minister of Defense and the demonstration, the White House said in a statement released on Monday that a compromise on the issue is needed as soon as possible.
These demonstrations have also worried business leaders, former security chiefs and Israel’s close ally America.
The White House issued a statement saying, ‘We are very concerned about Israel’s development and we need an agreement on this matter urgently. As the President (Joe Biden) recently discussed with Prime Minister Netanyahu, democratic values have always been and should continue to be a hallmark of the relationship between the United States and Israel.
Let us tell you that the Netanyahu government plans to vote in parliament on such a bill this week, which will give the government the power to decide on judicial appointments. There is also a provision to pass such laws which will give the Senedd the right to overturn the decisions of the Supreme Court with a simple majority.
Netanyahu and his allies argue that the plan would ensure a balance between the judicial and executive branches. But critics say the law will upset Israel’s democratic system and hand power to the ruling coalition.
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