Protests erupt in Israel after Netanyahu fires minister opposing judicial overhaul

Mass protests erupted in Israel on Sunday night after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired the country’s defense minister for opposing a judicial overhaul. 

Thousands of people stormed the streets of Tel Aviv late on Sunday, blocking streets and bridges while chanting “Democracy or revolt!” and “we are not afraid.”

Several fires were lit on the city’s main highway, covering the city with smoke. Demonstrations expanded to Beersheba, Haifa, and Jerusalem.

The protests started after Netanyahu’s office on Sunday announced the removal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in a statement.

Gallant was the first member of the cabinet to call for a pause of the country’s planned overhaul of the judicial system, claiming that following through with the plans could threaten the country’s security. 

The moment protesters break through barricades in front of Prime Minister's residence. One newscaster calls this by its name, a popular uprising. Tomorrow a nationwide strike is on horizon, joined by universities. The military is more fragile than ever. pic.twitter.com/GegHPKo6UK

— Louis Fishman لوي فيشمان לואי פישמן (@Istanbultelaviv) March 26, 2023

🎶"Have no fear at all..."🎶
Right now in Tel Aviv... pic.twitter.com/hesJhyq4p2

— Jeremy Sharon (@jeremysharon) March 26, 2023

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to remove Defense Minister Yoav Gallant from his post,” the one-line statement read.

Following the ousting of Gallant and the protests that followed, several prominent officials, including Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, urged Netanyahu to pause the judicial reform plans. 

“Deep concern hovers over the entire nation. Security, economy, society – everyone is threatened,” Herzog said in a statement on Monday.

“The eyes of all the people of Israel are on you. The eyes of all the Jewish people are on you. The eyes of the whole world are on you. For the sake of the unity of Israelis, for the sake of committing responsibility I call on you to halt the legislative procedure immediately,” Herzog continued.

“The reform is necessary and we will do it – but not at the cost of a civil war,” said Economy Minister Nir Barkat. 

Under the proposed reforms, the Israeli government would control the appointment of judges and parliament would be given the power to override Supreme Court decisions. The parliament is set to vote this week. 

Netanyahu’s government claims the reforms are necessary because the Supreme Court is insular, elitist, and does not represent the Israeli people. Opponents, including the country’s military, claim that such reforms would threaten Israel’s democracy.