Israel

Mass protests have erupted in Israel in recent months over controversial judicial reforms pushed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

This is not a political moment, this is a moment for leadership and responsibility." It is proof that this government has lost its brakes," he said, calling on Netanyahu to walk back his firing of his defense minister. "We must all strive to stabilise the government and coalition." The planned overhaul would significantly weaken the country's judiciary and make it harder to remove Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, from power. McDonald's Israel says it has closed branches as part of the strike action. "Stop this judicial process before it is too late," Arnon Bar-David, Israel's Histadrut union leader, said in a televised speech, addressing Netanyahu directly.

Israeli politics descended into turmoil, with Benjamin Netanyahu's hardline government facing a spiralling backlash to its bitterly contested plans to ...

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At its core, the judicial overhaul would give the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, and therefore the parties in power, more control over Israel's judiciary.

But his decision to fire Gallant on Sunday, a day after the defense minister called for a pause in the government’s drive to overhaul the country’s judicial system, sparked turmoil. Instead of having the vast majority of the appointed seats on the committee, the government-appointed members would have a one-seat majority. Would the Supreme Court strike down the laws, and if so, how would the government respond? Complicating matters further, should the bills pass parliament the Supreme Court must then potentially decide on laws curbing its own power. According to polling released in February by the Israel Democracy Institute, only a minority of Israelis support the reforms. As part of a deal with the court to serve as a prime minister despite being on trial, Netanyahu accepted a conflict of interest declaration. Protest organizers say they plan to intensify their demonstrations until the legislation is halted. Members of the typically apolitical high-tech sector have also spoken out against the reforms. Israel’s Supreme Court has no influence on what happens in Gaza, which is ruled by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Several former Mossad chiefs have also spoken out against the reforms, warning division over the issue is harming Israeli security. The Attorney General determined that the declaration meant Netanyahu could not be involved in the policy-making of the judicial overhaul. They argue the Supreme Court has overstepped its role, getting into issues it should not rule on.

Mass protests broke out in Israel on Sunday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired defense minister Yoav Gallant over his opposition to a ...

Israel’s Supreme Court has no influence on what happens in Gaza, which is ruled by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. At the same time, Palestinian activists have argued that the high court has further entrenched Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, having never considered the legality of Israeli settlements there, even though they’re considered illegal by most of the international community. Last year, for example, the court halted the evictions of Palestinian families in the flashpoint neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem, where Jewish groups have claimed ownership of land the families have lived on for decades.

JERUSALEM: The hard-right government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced more protests and a general strike Monday (Mar 27) against its ...

"It is a clear, immediate and tangible threat to Israel's security." I call on you to halt the legislative process immediately," Herzog said in a statement. "I am calling a general strike," Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David said in a televised address. Advertisement

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Workers from a range of sectors in Israel launched a nationwide strike on Monday, threatening to paralyze the economy as they joined ...

Protesters have called for the reforms to be scrapped and for the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to resign. His political rivals have spearheaded the ...

The government argues that voters elected it on a promise of reforming the judiciary and attempts to stop it are undemocratic. One reform has already been passed into law - removing the power of the attorney general to pronounce a sitting prime minister as unfit for office. Since the start of the year, huge weekly protests have been held by people opposed to the government's reform plans.

Besides threatening to undermine the economy and deepen societal divides, the crisis threatens to erode Israeli national security Read more at ...

The reservists’ active participation in the protests and their vocal opposition to the government’s plan have clearly made an impact on the defence minister. Should Netanyahu’s government request that institutions like the IDF act in contradiction to decisions made by the High Court, it is unclear to which authority these institutions would adhere. Instead, he proposed a dialogue between the two sides in order to reach a broadly agreed reform. As the country inches closer towards a constitutional showdown between the executive and legislative branches and the judicial branch, the presence of former members of elite military units in these protests is evidence that the crisis’ implications extend far beyond the domestic political arena. That is because young Israeli men and women, when they turn 18, are mandated by law to serve in the military. And that, Mr Gallant said, may undermine and jeopardise Israel’s security at a time when the country faces external threats from Iran, Palestinian terrorism and Lebanese Hizbollah. While the number of Israelis serving as reservists has decreased over the years due to cutbacks and people finding ways to be exempted, reserve military service has been an integral part of the national ethos and folklore. It represents a powerful step by former military and intelligence officials who pride themselves on their independence from politics and commitment to protocol. The reserves are designed to provide reinforcements during emergencies and maintain preparedness through routine training and security assignments. [judicial overhaul plan](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/israel-justice-minister-presents-controversial-court-reforms) of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, introduced in January, has thrown the country into its most severe domestic crisis since 1973. Critics and protesters say the plan undermines the 75-year delicate balance between the three government branches, ends liberal democracy as they know it and pushes Israel towards autocratic rule. Further demonstrating the unprecedented aspect of the response by reservists: Among those protesting are members of Israeli Air Force Squadron 69.

The political crisis engulfing Israel deepened on Sunday when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, who had opened up ...

At the moment of truth he collapsed under the pressure of the media and the protesters. But lawmakers can abstain or be absent, bringing down the number of votes a law needs in order to pass. “Gallant gave in tonight to blackmail and threats from all those anarchists who call for resistance and use the [Israel Defense Forces] as a bargaining tool,” Gvir tweeted. “Gallant was elected by the votes of right-wing voters and in practice promotes a left-wing agenda. An official in Netanyahu’s office said the Prime Minister had lost confidence in Gallant, adding that he had not cleared the comments in advance and had “thus sabotaged efforts to reach a solution.” 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. Opponents say the plans threaten the foundations of Israeli democracy. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to remove Defense Minister Yoav Gallant from his post,” the statement read. Some military reservists have pledged to pull out of their service in opposition to the plans, which critics say would undermine the independence of the judiciary. “When the house is on fire, you don’t ask who is right, but pour water and save its occupants,” Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar tweeted. “Tonight Netanyahu put politics and himself above security.” Large crowds blocked a main highway in Tel Aviv, and some protesters lit fires.

A day earlier, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu fired his Defence Minister Yoav Gallant after he called the government to halt the ...

Bigger and fiercer protests break, with tens of thousands taking to the streets. The government dismisses the protests as the left refusing to accept the results of November’s election. Netanyahu says the changes are needed to curb activist judges who overreach their powers to interfere in politics. [tells Netanyahu](/news/2023/3/24/israeli-govt-shows-signs-of-split-over-pms-judiciary-plans) that his personal involvement in plans to change the country’s judiciary is illegal. [the first reading](/news/2023/3/14/controversial-judicial-law-passes-first-vote-in-israeli-knesset) of the judicial changes bill. [thousands of people](/gallery/2023/3/27/photos-mass-protests-erupt-in-israel) taking to the streets in Tel Aviv to protest Gallant’s dismissal.

Protesters clash with the police during a rally against the Israeli government's judicial reform in Tel Aviv, Israel on March 27. Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty ...

“The eyes of all the people of Israel are on you. Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who has strongly advocated for the reform to be pushed through, opened the door to the possibility of a delay on Monday. The eyes of all the Jewish people are on you. Opponents say the plans threaten the foundations of Israeli democracy. The eyes of the whole world are on you. Some military reservists have pledged to pull out of their service in opposition to the plans, which critics say would undermine the independence of the judiciary. We have been taken hostage by a bunch of extremists with no brakes and no boundaries,” he said. All takeoffs from Israel’s main airport, Ben Gurion Tel Aviv, were halted for several hours because of the strike. Gallant argued for a halt to the judicial reforms in a speech Saturday night, when Netanyahu was out of the country on an official visit to the United Kingdom. For the sake of the unity of Israelis, for the sake of committed responsibility I call on you to halt the legislative procedure immediately.” We are brotherly people,” he said on Twitter. In a statement issued later, Lapid called the past 24 hours “madness,” “loss of control” and “loss of direction.”

Israeli prime minister likely to put controversial legislation on hold amid mass protests overnight.

Supporters of the changes, introduced almost immediately after the new government entered office in December, say they are needed to better balance the branches of government and combat a perceived leftwing bias in the court’s rulings. Only one in four voters support the judicial overhaul, according to recent polling by Israel’s Channel 12. Even as protests raged across the country overnight, a parliamentary committee continued to approve parts of the legislation, meaning the bills can go to the Knesset plenum for new readings. Critics say they will give politicians too much power over the judiciary by allowing a simple majority in the Knesset to overrule almost all of the court’s decisions, and give politicians a decisive say on appointments to the bench. In a tweet, Rothman urged supporters of the overhaul to take to the streets and “not to give up on the people’s choice”. [dramatic night of protests](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/26/benjamin-netanyahu-fires-defence-minister-yoav-gallant-judicial-overhaul) sparked by Netanyahu’s decision to sack his defence minister [for opposing](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/25/tel-aviv-demonstrations-against-benjamin-netanyahu-judicial-overhaul-israel) the judicial plans, and builds on significant pushback from the military, Israel’s vital hi-tech sector, and allies in the US.

Massive protests have erupted following the Netanyahu government's planned overhaul. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Under the government’s plan, lawmakers from the government coalition would hold a majority on the committee. Israeli Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara has warned Netanyahu that any involvement by him in the effort to change the legal system is a conflict of interest. Under the government’s plan, the Knesset could vote, by a simple majority, to pre-empt any judicial review of legislation or to annul it. Currently, Supreme Court justices are selected by a committee made up of two ministers, two lawmakers (one of whom is traditionally from the opposition), two members of the Bar association and three justices. A decision to quash legislation would require a unanimous vote of the court under one version of the plan, or 80 per cent of the 15 justices in another version. For example, in 2020, the court struck down a law that authorised the government to expropriate private land owned by Palestinians if Jewish settlers had built on it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday agreed to suspend a planned judiciary reform until the next parliament session after nationwide protests ...

"In Netanyahu's new Israel, the slimmest of majorities could decide anything," Sachs wrote. The prime minister himself is currently under investigation on numerous counts of corruption and other charges, meaning he would likely benefit from a weaker judiciary. In short, the proposed judiciary overhaul would severely limit the Israeli Supreme Court's ability to review and strike down laws that it deems unconstitutional. Israel's Leumi Bank also closed branches as part of the demonstrations, while Israeli embassies worldwide have been instructed to join the industrial action, according to a letter seen by Reuters. "I am taking the time out for dialogue," Netanyahu said Monday evening at a press conference, according to a Sky News translation. This will follow the Passover recess in April.

Israel was in turmoil on Monday, with a general strike halting flight departures and limiting access to the health and legal systems as pressure intensified ...

JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed judicial overhaul has unleashed the most intense social unrest in Israel in decades.

A pause would help ease the tensions and buy Netanyahu some time to find a compromise. Levin, the justice minister who has led the efforts to rush the plan through parliament, said he would respect Netanyahu’s wishes if he called for a delay. Doctors and day care workers said they would stay off the job, and others were expected to join as well. In security-obsessed Israel, Gallant, a gruff retired general, is among the most respected members of the new Cabinet. They also say Netanyahu has a deep conflict of interest in trying to reshape the legal system while on trial. Israeli media, citing unnamed officials inside Netanyahu’s Likud party, said he was expected to delay his plan. With morale down and soldiers threatening not to report for duty, Gallant said that pushing ahead could hurt Israel’s military readiness. The decision was felt almost immediately. But the eruption of anger over Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s dismissal, organized quickly largely via the WhatsApp messaging app, was startling. After he was indicted, Netanyahu’s former governing partners turned on him, and he was unable to form a stable, lasting coalition. The union joins business leaders, bank chiefs, fighter pilots, military reservists, academics, former security commanders and other influential sectors of society in coming out against the plan. Israel’s largest trade union declared a general strike – paralyzing the country’s international airport – and thousands of people gathered outside parliament for another day of protests.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday his controversial plans to weaken the judiciary will be delayed after widespread strikes and protests ...

The cabinet vote would then need to be ratified by a super majority in the parliament. Netanyahu was also condemned by his opponents and a host of former Israeli prime ministers. the vote, in order to give time for discussion,” he added. “We’ve never been closer to falling apart. But months of sustained protests over the plans drew global attention and rocked the country. Netanyahu added that he is “aware of the tensions” and is “listening to the people.”

His proposed changes provoked an outpouring of anger from nearly all parts of Israeli society.

He had previously called for an immediate halt to the plans. In the heart of Jerusalem, around the Knesset, supporters and critics held counter-protests. The prime minister denies any wrongdoing and claims he is the victim of a "witch hunt". He accused an "extremist minority" of trying to divide the nation, and criticised military reservists who had opposed the bill by saying they wouldn't report for duty. His own part in the country's upheaval was not acknowledged. From the main airport to shops and banks - even in hospitals - services were stopped.

After a day of almost unprecedented strikes and protests, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he'll delay a controversial plan to weaken the ...

Ian Bremmer's Quick Take: In Israel, the demonstrations, people's power taking to the streets, particularly in Tel Aviv, are unprecedented.

Very little in terms of the Palestinian issue that we've seen over the course of the past weeks, but a lot in terms of women's rights that also have taken a significant hit over the course of this new government and lots of other social issues that are significant to large numbers, particularly of young people in Israel today. Of course, the other side of the coin is that if he pulls back, is he going to maintain support? All of this has led to huge moves against the Israeli shekel, against Israeli ETFs, against the Israeli investments in the markets that we've really not seen. If Netanyahu persists and decides that he's going to go ahead with this reform, it would not only be a significant erosion for Israeli democracy, but it would also be an enormous hit for the Israeli economy. That means you're not getting a Big Mac today in Israel because all of the McDonald's are closed. This is a population of less than 10 million in Israel, and hundreds of thousands are saying that they strongly oppose the efforts by Bibi Netanyahu and his coalition government to rest control of the judiciary, allowing the parliament to overturn judicial decisions from the Supreme Court and also allowing more control of executive appointments to Supreme Court justices.

The right-wing government's push to get more control of the judiciary system thrust Israel into a crisis. The pushback led Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ...

That would set up a potential constitutional crisis, with two branches of government refusing to agree on what the law is. They say that their way of life is in danger and that women's rights could suddenly be limited under the new government plan. Instead, the country operates according to a set of basic laws. The immediate crisis is somewhat abated by the prime minister's decision to call off Monday's vote, but it's unclear if Netanyahu can hold together his coalition. The government also wants to give itself a more direct hand in selecting the country's judges — a process that involves a judicial selection committee. Yes, and it's possible that the Supreme Court could eventually rule on them. The prime minister is on trial for three criminal cases alleging corruption. The turmoil eventually prompted Netanyahu to freeze the legislation. Currently, politicians have a minority vote on the selection committee. Netanyahu postponed the final vote of the legislation that had been slated for Monday. The push for more control widely is seen as a preemptive step toward enacting a controversial legislative agenda. Then came word that Netanyahu would put the plan on hold.

For months, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have been taking to the streets across the country to protest far-reaching changes to Israel's legal system.

Opponents say the plan threatens the foundations of Israeli democracy. The nation's largest labor union called an end to the strike after Netanyahu's announcement. [Tensions rose further this past weekend](https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/26/middleeast/israel-judicial-overhaul-legislation-intl/index.html) when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over his opposition to the planned overhaul, prompting mass street protests and widespread strike action.

Veteran leader suspends divisive overhaul after plan for judicial reform plunges Israel into biggest crisis in decades.

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For weeks now, one question has loomed large in the battle between the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and protesters trying to block his ...

The Shin Bet’s Unit 730 is in charge of the prime minister’s security. [public](https://www.timesofisrael.com/public-losing-faith-in-idf-but-trusts-it-more-than-any-other-institution-poll/) [opinion](https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/society/119546-160711-israelis-trust-the-military-but-not-the-government-study) [surveys](https://jewishstudies.washington.edu/israel-hebrew/civil-military-relations-in-israel-politics-state-society/), the Israeli military is the most trusted national institution in the country. In the first few weeks of the government, as the protests were gathering pace, the question of who the security forces would obey—the government or the Supreme Court—was only whispered. “The heads of Mossad and Shin Bet very rarely appear in public, so they can remain silent. It prompted a new round of protests and a nationwide strike and forced Netanyahu to delay the legislation. Three of the four said they would have obeyed the courts. But the protests have expanded to include top economists, the normally non-political but highly influential high-tech sector, and thousands of officers in the reserve forces, who signed He still commands a majority in parliament that includes factions that—each for their own reasons—want to see the Supreme Court sidelined. To appease one faction in his coalition that had pushed for a quick vote in parliament, Netanyahu also agreed to consider forming a new security force under the direct authority of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right national security minister. More worrying for the security establishment, thousands of reservists announced they would not report for duty, including fighter pilots and intelligence officers in Israel’s vital cyber units. The proposed laws could dramatically alter the country’s power structure and are made possible because of a historic lacuna: Israel has no written constitution regulating the balance of power between the judiciary, the parliament, and the executive branch. [insubordination](https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-top-brass-said-to-warn-reservist-no-shows-could-impact-readiness-within-a-month/) among military reservists, and handwringing about the future of Israel’s democracy.

With Protests Against Israel's Judicial Overhaul Making Global Headlines, Several World Leaders Have Started to Publicly Criticize the Government's Moves.

Monday’s main headline on CNN was a report about “masses of demonstrators in Israel as trade unions join a historic strike,” accompanied by photos of the fires set during the blockage of the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv. He said that one of the characteristics of Israel’s judicial system is the fact that “judges can veto the appointment of judges. The crisis in Israel is making headlines in global media. One source in the European Union said on Monday: “We are obviously following very closely the events in Israel. We are concerned about the deepening rifts in Israeli society, and call for calm.” We are very worried about the manner in which it will play out,” a foreign diplomat who wished to remain anonymous told Haaretz.

Thank goodness that Israel's civil society has forced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pause, for now, his attempt to impose his control over Israel's ...

Then in 2021, as The Times of Israel [reported](https://www.timesofisrael.com/aryeh-deri-admits-to-tax-offenses-as-part-of-plea-deal-will-resign-from-knesset/), Deri accepted a plea deal in which he admitted “to a pair of tax offenses in exchange for resigning from the Knesset” and paying a fine. In January, the Supreme Court ruled that Deri was not fit to serve in government. … This is a very high-level organization.” The story continued: “Another member of the premier’s entourage confirmed that the senior official was referring to the United States.” [put it](https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-03-27/ty-article/.premium/in-firing-gallant-netanyahu-proved-he-puts-his-own-fate-over-israels-national-security/00000187-1f8c-d4ca-afff-1f8cb9480000): “It’s hard to think of one senior defense official who wasn’t shocked to the core by Netanyahu’s decision. How would you describe an Israeli prime minister and his son who, after 50 years of the United States sending Israel billions and billions of dollars in economic and military assistance, have been disseminating the lie that the U.S. This is not the only sign of what an irrational actor Netanyahu has become. weapons to engage in any kind of war of choice with Iran or Hezbollah without the full and independent endorsement of Israel’s military high command, which has opposed his judicial putsch. Why do I insist that Netanyahu has become an irrational actor and a danger to our interests and values? But one thing is clear already: Netanyahu has become the definition of an irrational actor in international relations — someone whose behavior we can no longer predict and whose words President Biden should not trust. With the judiciary brought to heel, Israel would be governed more like elected autocracies, such as Hungary and Turkey, than the Israel the world has always known. With no real guardrails, it would take the United States and world Jewry across redlines they never imagined crossing, while possibly destabilizing Jordan and the Abraham Accords, eliminating hope of a two-state solution and bringing Israel in its 75th anniversary year to the edge of civil war. Thank goodness that Israel’s civil society has forced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pause, for now, his attempt to impose his control over Israel’s independent judiciary and gain a free hand to rule as he wishes.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu's statement Monday hasn't appeased those opposing his perceived desire to control the judiciary.

“I think the protests will continue, maybe not at the same amount, but more on a weekly basis.” “In Israeli society, serving in the army is your application to belonging and more. It’s like the protest became more comfortable with the fact of the flag’s presence.” “At first, in the anti-Occupation bloc, there were a lot of attacks on people who held Palestinian flags. Many are viewing his motivation as fundamentally “to escape his legal conundrum and three indictments.” “It is forbidden that there will be a civil war”.

The Israeli defence chief whose dismissal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brought the country's political crisis to a climax is remaining in office ...

Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges he denies, said the reforms balance out branches of government. There was no immediate word from President Isaac Herzog, the host of the negotiations, on when they might begin. In parliament, the coalition on Tuesday tabled for final readings a key bill that would give Netanyahu greater control of the system for selecting judges. Asked how soon the coalition could call a ratification vote, he said: "In theory, the day after." "A gun is being held to our heads," tweeted former finance minister Avigdor Liberman. A day later, Netanyahu said he was firing Gallant.

We'll send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest Israel news every morning. Israel's president Isaac Herzog has urged political leaders to begin ...

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Demonstrations forced Israel's prime minister to delay a judicial overhaul.

[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). You can reach the team at “If I didn’t have this, I wouldn’t be doing art today,” said Ian Fay, a comic book artist in Kilkenny. On Friday, South Carolina will play Iowa, led by Caitlin Clark, and Louisiana State will face Virginia Tech, which has reached the semifinals for the first time. Officials said the attacker, 28, was a former student there. But it could also lead to more political chaos: Netanyahu’s coalition holds a slim majority in Parliament, and it could collapse if his right-wing allies believe he is going back on his word. Soldiers and reservists argue that if the courts are too weak to provide a check on the military, officials may be more likely to give illegal orders and potentially expose soldiers to prosecution in international courts. That opposition has gained momentum because it unites influential parts of Israeli society: universities, unions and the reservists who play a key role in the military. They believe the courts have become increasingly aggressive and have undermined voters’ choices over the past three decades. But with the overhaul, Israel’s Parliament could override the court’s decisions with a simple majority, giving the government sweeping power to enact its preferred policies. But it remains unclear what will happen in the coming weeks — and whether Netanyahu will continue pushing a proposal that has started to fracture even his own cabinet. Much of life in Israel came to a halt yesterday: Hospitals stopped providing nonemergency care, planes were grounded at the country’s main airport, and malls and banks closed.

Caution prevailed in Israel on Tuesday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to pause controversial judicial reforms that sparked a general strike ...

The fate of ousted defence minister Yoav Gallant was unknown on Tuesday, with speculation in Israeli media that he could be reinstated. The Knesset is Israel’s Parliament. “This is another attempt of Netanyahu trying to gaslight the Israeli public in order to weaken the protest and then enact a dictatorship,” the Umbrella Movement of demonstrators said. “The goal is to reach an agreement,” Mr Netanyahu said in a statement on Tuesday. A joint statement on Tuesday from Mr Lapid’s party and that of Mr Benny Gantz, a former defence minister, said such talks will stop immediately “if the law is put on the Knesset’s agenda”. “Out of a will to prevent a rupture among our people, I have decided to pause the second and third readings of the Bill” to allow time for dialogue, the Prime Minister said in a broadcast.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed by a few months his government's plan to limit the powers of the country's judiciary.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said he would postpone the votes on his planned judicial overhaul, but analysts say that may not be ...

Some of the military members Netanyahu is referring to are also serving in very critical units, said Rahat. “Refusing is the end of our country.” “This is the only scenario where we will see a complete stop of all the demonstrations.” The prime minister had earlier fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over his opposition to the planned overhaul. “The infrastructure is there, and if there will be a need, there will be a comeback (to the streets),” he said. “The protests will continue unless Netanyahu will note publicly that he was mistaken when leading that reform, and (that) he is holding all future motivations to renew the judicial reform,” Hayman told CNN.

Questions raised over Benjamin Netanyahu's control over coalition as he makes concessions to far right.

It called on Israelis to “keep up the pressure on Netanyahu until he scraps the coup”. To halt the crisis, Netanyahu has had to balance protesters’ demands with those of his far-right coalition partners, who argue that the courts have too much power. “A gun is being held to our heads,” tweeted the former finance minister Avigdor Lieberman. Meanwhile, protest organisers have promised to continue to rally, accusing the prime minister of deception. The speech also pacified growing international concern from Israel’s allies, particularly from Washington, who wanted it to deal with the crisis before it spiralled out of control. While the termination would have ordinarily gone into effect by Tuesday, Gallant’s aides said he had never been formally notified.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said Tuesday he was sending the country's football association chief for talks with FIFA about its hosting of the Under-20 ...

So don't mix sports with politics," he said in the video. Because our support to Palestine is always strong and firm. The Indonesian president said sport and politics should not clash after the calls for Israel to be removed from the tournament.

Indonesia's president said on Tuesday that Israel's participation in the Under-20 World Cup to be hosted by his country meant no change to its foreign ...

"FIFA is very appreciative, understanding of what's happening in Indonesia." Israel's football association has been contacted for comment. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo has said Israel's participation in the Under-20 football World Cup would bring no change to its foreign policy after the ...

Indonesian officials said a rejection from Bali’s governor to hosting Israel on the Hindu-majority island and call for it to be thrown out of the cup because of its policies towards the Palestinians was likely behind the draw’s cancellation. Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) on Sunday said this week’s draw for the tournament had been cancelled after the governor of the holiday island of Bali refused to host Israel’s team. Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo has said Israel’s participation in the Under-20 football World Cup would bring no change to its foreign policy after the tournament’s draw was cancelled following protests against the Israeli team’s presence in the Muslim-majority nation.

JAKARTA – Indonesia's President said on Tuesday that Israel's participation in football's Under-20 World Cup hosted by his country meant no change to its ...

Israel’s football association has been contacted for comment. “We’re trying some options, and the best one we’re still hoping for is that the event still happens in Indonesia.” REUTERS Mr Wayan Koster had urged the Ministry of Youth and Sports to “adopt a policy forbidding the Israeli team from competing in Bali” due to the conflict with the Palestinians, the media reported, citing his letter.