Israeli president urges Netanyahu to halt judicial overhaul after widespread protest

Israel’s president Isaac Herzog on Monday urged the government to immediately halt a contentious judicial overhaul, warning that it has put the country's security, economy and society under threat, a day after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked his defence minister for opposing the move, sparking widespread street protests.

Herzog also called on the government to put aside political considerations for the sake of the nation "Last night we witnessed very difficult scenes. I appeal to the Prime Minister, members of the Government, and members of the Coalition: there are harsh and painful feelings. The entire nation is rapt with deep worry. Our security, economy, society — all are under threat. The whole people of Israel are looking at you. The whole Jewish People are looking at you. The whole world is looking at you", Herzog said in a statement.

"For the sake of the unity of the People of Israel, for the sake of the necessary responsibility, I call on you to halt the legislative process immediately," he emphasised.

He urged all the leaders in power to place country's citizens above all else.

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"I appeal to the leaders of all Knesset factions, Coalition and Opposition alike, to place this country's citizens above all else and to act with courage and responsibility without further delay. Wake up now! This is not a political moment; this is a moment for leadership and responsibility", the President asserted.

Demonstrators streamed into the streets last night after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defence Minister Yoav Gallant after the latter on Saturday evening said that the judicial overhaul "poses a clear, immediate, and tangible threat to the security of the state".

Irked by the televised speech given by Gallant, the PMO in a terse statement on Sunday evening said that "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided, this evening (Sunday, 26 March 2023), to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Gallant".

The announcement led to tens of thousands of Israelis pouring into the streets of cities across the country on Sunday night in a spontaneous unprecedented outburst of anger.