Nationwide Protests in Israel After Netanyahu Fires Defense Minister

1 年前

Nationwide protests erupted in Israel on Sunday night, March 26, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, for opposing controversial judicial reforms, Israeli media reported.

Citing Israel’s Maariv newspaper, The Jerusalem Post reported that Netanyahu told Gallant he had lost trust in him.

“We must all stand up strongly against insubordination,” Netanyahu tweeted following the dismissal.

In a brief comment, Gallant said the “security of the State of Israel has always been and will always be my life’s mission.” Opposition politicians condemned Gallant’s dismissal.

Israeli media reported more than 600,000 people had taken to the streets to protest the reforms, which would see changes to Israel’s legal system and give parliament more control over the nation’s judiciary.

Footage by Tuvi Pollack shows protesters crowding an intersection in the city of Hod Hasharon and waving Israeli flags.

Citing sources, Haaretz reported Netanyahu and other senior figures in his coalition government had gathered on Sunday night to discuss halting the reforms. Credit: Tuvi Pollack via Storyful