KYIV. March 27. UNN. Israeli media reported new protests in Jerusalem, where, according to police estimates, 80,000 to 115,000 demonstrators gathered near the Knesset. The new “trigger” for the wave of rallies was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Galant, who announced the need to suspend the implementation of the reform because the current situation threatens the country’s security, writes UNN with reference to “News of Israel”.
Details
Earlier, the media reported that Netanyahu would announce an end to the government’s reform of the judicial system after protests erupted across the country over his firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who had called for a freeze on the legislative process.
A few hours later it became known that the Prime Minister met with the Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir “against the latter’s threats to resign from the government if the judicial reform is stopped, as expected.”
According to Channel 12, some in the prime minister’s circle are advising him to wait until 6:00 p.m. before making a speech.
At the moment, protests are ongoing in the big cities of Israel – Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
In particular, about 115,000 people gathered near the Knesset in Jerusalem. Due to fears of clashes with right-wing activists, whose demonstration is scheduled for 18:00, additional police forces have been sent to the area.
The mass media also report that about 80,000 people are currently protesting in front of the parliament building, and arrests are being made.
Pro-govt protesters sing “Bibi, king of Israel” and yell, again, at “leftist whores,” telling them to “go home,” implying here is not their place pic.twitter.com/rVxT9IrRp8
— Carrie Keller-Lynn (@cjkeller8) March 27, 2023
Tourism Minister Haim Katz ordered the opening of a special headquarters to provide assistance to foreign tourists who have suffered or may suffer as a result of the general strike.
Addition
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Because of this, mass protests began in the country.
After the news of the dismissal of Israel’s defense minister became public knowledge, tens of thousands of people protested across the country. Crowds gathered outside Netanyahu’s house in Jerusalem, breaching the security cordon.