As demonstrations blew up across Israel calling for the reform of the judicial bill, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has called on the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the controversial judicial reform that has sparked major nationwide protests.

Edited by | Anna Sam
Politics section
March 26 -Tel Aviv

       Protests against the reform have been held in Israel for 12 straight weeks. According to Netanyahu, the Israeli government plans to pass a key part of the proposed legislation next week.

Gallant said on Saturday, as quoted by The Times of Israel;

''For the sake of Israel’s security, for the sake of our sons and daughters — the legislative process should be stopped — to enable the nation of Israel to celebrate Passover and Independence Day together, and to mourn together on Memorial Day and Holocaust Remembrance Day,"

Yoav Gallant is the first key Israeli minister to call for a halt to the reform and emphasized that there is a growing rift in Israeli society that is also penetrating the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the country’s security agencies.

"This poses a clear, immediate, and tangible threat to the security of the state. I will not allow this," Gallant said, calling for inclusive dialogue on the issue.

Meanwhile, Israel’s National Security Minister Ben Gvir urged Netanyahu to fire Gallant on Saturday.
"I call on the prime minister to fire Gallant, who came in with the votes of the right, but surrendered to the pressure of those who threatened to refuse [to serve in the military], and tries to put a stop to the important reform," Ben Gvir said in a statement quoted by The Times of Israel.

• Read more |HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS PROTEST AGAINST JUDICIAL REFORM IN ISRAEL

About 630,000 Israelis participated in yet another nationwide protest against the controversial judicial reform on Saturday, according to Israeli media reports. Police used water cannons against demonstrators in Tel Aviv, The Times of Israel said, adding that at least 28 protesters were detained while blocking the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv.

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