Tension has been mounting in recent hours following the numerous announcements of demonstrations and calls to halt the initiative amid a climate of political and social tension.
“I tried to prevent this, but I can’t sit still anymore,” said Arnon Bar-David, chairman of the Histadrut, the country’s largest trade union federation, at a press conference, calling for a general strike by all unions.
This is the time for us to say enough is enough, it is impossible to further polarize this nation, Bar-David condemned, citing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions.
For its part, the Medical College announced it will join the national protests amid reports of a large number of doctors not showing up at their posts this Monday.
The institution said an exemption committee would be set up to allow for basic healthcare treatments and services.
As of this Monday, the country’s research universities suspended classes indefinitely to “denounce the continuation of the legislative process that is undermining the foundations of Israeli democracy.”
Meanwhile, Israel Airport Authority Committee Chairman Pinhas Idan warned that from today workers will keep Ben Gurion International Airport, the country’s main one, closed until further notice.
Yesterday evening we experienced very difficult scenes, it is time to stop the reform project, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said in a dramatic speech.
“I appeal to the Prime Minister, the members of the government and the members of the coalition in power (…) Our security, economy, society, they are all under threat,” he stressed.
Numerous demonstrations erupted last night shortly after Netanyahu’s decision to sack Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over his criticism of the plan was announced.
Various sectors of the country began paralysis week amid the protests yesterday, but Gallant’s sacking has added fuel to the fire.
We need a change in the legal system, but it has to be done through negotiations, we have to have a participatory and unifying process, Gallant said in a speech to the country on Saturday amid growing Defense Forces (IDF) dissatisfaction with the proposal.
The rift within the nation has cut deep into the IDF, which is a clear and major threat to national security, and I will not allow it, stressed the MP from the Netanyahu-led Likud party.
He said the right-wing demanded his dismissal, while the opposition and broad sections of the country praised his position.
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