It is uncertain whether he will announce that the parliamentary decision on restructuring the judiciary will be suspended. Netanyahu threatens to break up the coalition no matter what he decides. He would also lose the chance to continue governing, as envisaged in the legislative package, even if he was convicted in the corruption case against him.
However, Netanyahu’s lawyer has now announced that he will no longer defend him in court in the case that has been dragging on for years if the head of government does not pull the cord and suspend the restructuring of the judiciary. This demanded once again, in addition to the hundreds of thousands of demonstrators who returned to the streets night and night, and President Yitzchak Herzog. On the other hand, Justice Minister Jariv Levin and extremist right-wing parties are threatening consequences in the event of a freeze. Levin, for one, is threatening to resign.
“Hands on the Wheel”
Netanyahu brushed aside international concerns about forming the most radical, far-right coalition in Israel’s history, saying he had “his hands on the steering wheel”. Admittedly, critics of him saw things differently from the start: the right-wing parties were the only ones still willing to cooperate with the indicted head of government. He was therefore at their mercy, according to the opposition’s argument. It remains to be seen whether Galant’s expulsion will be a decisive turning point for this coalition.
Escalation with the expulsion of Galant
The already explosive situation escalated even more overnight on Sunday, when it was announced that Netanyahu had fired his defense minister and party colleague Galant. He was the only one in the government who had already publicly advocated a freeze on restructuring the judiciary. The post of defense minister is considered the most prestigious post in Israel after prime minister.
Worried that militia protests – thousands of them already refuse to attend exercises as a sign of protest – would spread further, he gave Netanyahu an ultimatum for a temporary halt. At the end of last week, Galant presented the head of government with assessments by military leaders, according to which the militia protests could compromise, at least in part, the operational readiness of the army.
Portal For months, Israelis have taken to the streets against Netanyahu’s judicial restructuring
Urgent Appeal
“For the sake of the unity of the Israeli people, for the sake of accountability, I urge you to stop the legislative process immediately,” President Herzog wrote on Twitter late on Monday. According to media reports, Netanyahu consulted with several ministers late into the night. However, one of the pillars of the restructuring of the judiciary – the procedure for appointing judges – will finally be decided in the Judiciary Committee in the morning. Before Netanyahu’s speech, coalition leaders discussed again.
Several ministers who were not present at the evening deliberations spoke out in favor of suspending the morning conversion. The reform project’s objective is correct, but the path to get there needs to be reconsidered and “it’s not worth a civil war,” Economy Minister Nir Barkat was quoted as saying by the Jerusalem Post.
Biggest protests so far
After Galant’s expulsion became known, tens of thousands spontaneously gathered in the coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv to protest Netanyahu’s decision. They blocked the central road to Jerusalem. For the first time, several fires were set in the street and the police used violence against the demonstrators. It was probably the most violent protests to date.
There were also protests in other Israeli cities overnight. Protesters also gathered outside Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem. They broke through a roadblock near the prime minister’s house. There were also protests in the northern city of Haifa and in Beer Sheva in the south of the country.
Israel: again protests against the restructuring of the judiciary
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Israel on Sunday against the controversial judicial reform and the resignation of the defense minister. The minister was sacked by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he criticized the reform.
US ‘deeply concerned’
The US reacted with concern to the events in Israel and asked for an agreement. “We are deeply concerned about today’s events in Israel, which underscore the urgent need for a deal,” the White House said Sunday night (local time). Democratic values have always been and must remain a hallmark of US-Israeli relations. “We continue to urge the Israeli leadership to find a deal as soon as possible.”
First diplomat resigns
Israel’s Consul General in New York, Asaf Zamir, resigned in protest of Galant’s resignation. That was “a dangerous decision,” Zamir said on Twitter. The lawsuit made him realize that he “can no longer represent this government”.