Demonstrators stormed Israel’s streets overnight as thousands expressed their opposition to a controversial judicial reform bill and the prime minister’s decision to sack the defense minister who had opposed it.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summarily fired Yoav Gallant on Sunday, a day after Gallant called for a halt to the planned overhaul of the Israeli judiciary that has fiercely divided the country. Military and business leaders have also spoken out against the plan.
Netanyahu’s office announced Gallant’s sacking in a succinct statement that said, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided tonight to sack Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.” The prime minister’s office did not provide further details.
Police officers detain a protester during a demonstration after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked the defense minister in Jerusalem March 26, 2023. Ronen Zvulun/Portal
Gallant, a former army general, is a senior member of Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party. On Saturday, he called for a pause in the controversial legislation until after next month’s Independence Day holiday, citing the threat to Israel’s national security.
After a night of protests that saw police water cannons fire on demonstrators, thousands gathered outside the Knesset, where Israel’s parliament sits, on Monday morning. Many more gathered in central Tel Aviv where a large rally was planned.
Passengers look at a departures board at Ben Gurion airport which shows cancellations of flights from Israel until further notice following widespread strikes in protest at the judicial overhaul March 27, 2023 in Jerusalem, Israel.Amir Levy/Getty Images
Ronen Bar, the head of Israel’s intelligence service, arrived at Netanyahu’s home in Jerusalem just after midnight on Monday, while protests continued outside.
Ben Gurion Airport, the country’s main international airport, halted all departures on Monday as Histadrut, the country’s largest labor union, protested the planned reforms. Arrivals will continue to land at the airport, although it was expected that up to 35,000 people would disrupt their journey.
Netanyahu crossed all “red lines” on Sunday evening, Histadrut leader Arnon Bar-David said in a statement posted to Facebook on Monday, according to a translation. He called for a “historic” strike to begin on Monday.
People take part in a demonstration after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked the defense minister March 26, 2023 in Jerusalem. Ronen Zvulun/Portal
The strike action extended to hospitals, cafes and shopping malls, many of which remained closed as of Monday morning.
Washington urged Israeli leaders to find a compromise, with National Security spokeswoman Adrienne Watson saying in a statement the White House was “deeply concerned by developments in Israel today, which further underscore the urgent need for compromise.” .
“As the President recently discussed with Prime Minister Netanyahu, democratic values have always been and must be a hallmark of US-Israel relations,” Watson said.
Demonstrators take part in a demonstration after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked the defense minister as part of his government’s plan to overhaul the judicial system in Jerusalem March 27, 2023.Ammar Awad/Portal
Protests have been simmering in Israel for months since the proposed changes were introduced in December. Under Netanyahu’s reforms, Knesset lawmakers could overrule decisions by the country’s Supreme Court, a change seen by many as a move to consolidate power.
Prime Minister and President Joe Biden discussed the changes in a call on March 19.
Biden told Netanyahu at the time that “democratic societies are strengthened by real checks and balances and that fundamental change should be driven forward with the widest possible popular support,” the White House said.
Two prominent Israeli lawmakers have opposed Netanyahu’s judicial reform as protests in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv rage on.
According to local media reports, Aryeh Deri, one of the founders of the Shas political party, urged Netanyahu to halt judicial reforms early Monday morning.
Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar said early Monday morning that “reforming the judicial system is necessary and essential… when the house is on fire you don’t ask who’s right,” read one translation.
“If the prime minister decides to stop legislation to prevent the rift that has sprung up in the nation, we must support his position,” Zohar said.
ABC News’ Joe Simonetti, Edward Szekeres, Ellie Kaufman, Nasser Atta, Bruno Nota and Jordana Miller contributed to this report.