![]() Piling further pressure on Netanyahu, Israel’s High Court on Sunday gave him a week to a respond to a petition calling for him to be held in contempt of court. I call on the Prime Minister to fire him immediately.” At the moment of truth he collapsed under the pressure of the media and the protesters. “Gallant was elected by the votes of right-wing voters and in practice promotes a left-wing agenda. “Gallant gave in tonight to blackmail and threats from all those anarchists who call for resistance and use the as a bargaining tool,” Gvir tweeted. Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir had called on Netanyahu to fire Gallant after his speech on Saturday. ![]() The military reservists’ protest is seen as a particular worry for Israel’s government, as they are regularly called up to train and serve, even in peacetime. Opponents say the plans threaten the foundations of Israeli democracy. The government argues the changes are essential to rein in the Supreme Court, which they see as insular, elitist, and no longer representative of the Israeli people. Under the proposals, the government would have control over the appointment of judges, and parliament would gain the power to override Supreme Court decisions. ![]() The labor union, Histadrut, said its press conference with business leaders scheduled for 11 a.m. Universities in Israel will go on strike starting Monday, they announced, and the country’s largest labor union and business leaders said they would hold a press conference on Monday morning. “I believe that this reform undermines the very foundation of our democratic system and threatens the rule of law in our country,” he wrote. In his resignation letter, which he posted on Twitter, Zamir called Netanyahu’s move a “dangerous decision” and added that that he had “become increasingly concerned with the policies of the new government, and in particular, the judicial reform it is leading.” Israel’s Consul General in New York, Asaf Zamir, resigned in response to Netanyahu’s decision to fire Gallant. He added: “The Prime Minister of Israel is a danger to the security of the State of Israel.” Israel’s former Prime Minister Yair Lapid called Gallant’s dismissal a “new low.” He wrote on Twitter that Netanyahu might be able to fire the minister but “cannot fire the people of Israel who are standing up to the insanity of the coalition.” Gallant reiterated that sentiment in a tweet on Sunday after his dismissal: “The security of the State of Israel has always been and will always remain the mission of my life.” ![]() In his speech on Saturday, Gallant said the pause was needed “for the security of Israel,” citing the refusal of some Israel Defense Forces reservists to train in protest at the government plans. “The reform is necessary and we will do it - but not at the cost of a civil war,” he said. ![]() As protesters gathered into the early hours of Monday, Economy Minister Nir Barkat, Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar and Diaspora Affairs and Social Equality Minister Amichai Chikli - all members of Netanyahu’s Likud party - also suggested that Netanyahu should stop the legislation.īarkat, a former mayor of Jerusalem, suggested Netanyahu should “stop and recalculate” his overhaul plan, warning it has brought the country to the brink of civil war. ![]()
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