JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suddenly fired his minister for defense on Sunday, after the minister asked him (Netanyahu) to stop a planned judicial overhaul that has viciously divided Israel and also prompted growing disgruntlement within the ranks of the Israel’s military. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets and roads of Tel Aviv, blocking a key highway in the city after the announcement.
Netanyahu fires defense minister
The recent dismissal hinted that PM Netanyahu will move ahead this week with the plan, which has ignited mass protest demonstrations, angered army and business leaders and also raised concerns among allies of Israel. Yoav Gallant had been the first top member of the ruling party to speak against the plan of the PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a brief statement, Israeli Prime Minister Office said the prime minister has dismissed Gallant from the post of Defense Minister. Benjamin Netanyahu later tweeted “we must all stand against denial.”
Tens of thousands of people poured into the roads in protest following the announcement of Netanyahu, blocking Tel Aviv’s key artery, transforming the highway into a sea of flags. Protestors took place in Haifa, Beersheba, and Jerusalem, where thousands of protestors gathered outside Netanyahu’s residence.
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The consul general of Israel in New York said he was also resigning in protest following the firing and said “I can no longer continue to represent this Government,”.
Galit Distal Atbaryan, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s minister, said that he (Netanyahu) summoned Defense Minister Gallant to his office and told him “that he doesn’t have any trust on him, so he is fired.”
Avi Dichter, a former head of a security agency, is likely to replace the defense minister.
Thousands of people have taken to the roads and streets over the past several months to demonstrate against the judicial reforms.
