Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has dismissed Defense Minister Gallant after he called for the controversial judicial reform to be stopped.
In a written statement from the Israeli government’s press office, it was announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. No details were shared about who would replace Gallant.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government announced that a bill would be introduced to the Knesset tomorrow for the first vote to allow the ruling party to have a say in the appointments of judges to the committee overseeing the selection of Supreme Court judges in the controversial judicial reform. The bill must pass three votes in the Knesset to become law.
Opposition protests on the streets
Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid said that “Netanyahu has become a threat to Israel.” This statement came after Defense Minister Gallant was dismissed.
The Israeli media reported that protests were held outside the homes of Likud party members and ministers, including Netanyahu. Hundreds of protesters against the judicial reform, holding Israeli flags, also closed the main artery of Tel Aviv, Ayalon Highway, to two-way traffic.
Defense Minister called for the judicial reform to be stopped
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called on the government to stop the controversial judicial reform, which has caused a political crisis and mass protests in the country.
“The division within the country has deeply infiltrated the Israeli army and defense organization. This is a clear and significant threat to Israel’s security. I will not allow this,” said the Defense Minister.
Support for the Defense Minister’s call also came from within the Likud party.
Likud members of parliament Yuli Edelstein and David Bitan joined Gallant in calling for the bill to be stopped and for dialogue. Israeli media also claimed that Agriculture Minister and Likud member Avi Ditcher expressed his views in favor of stopping the judicial reform, announcing that he was coordinating with Netanyahu and the government.
