Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Galant, who on Saturday called for a halt to the controversial judicial reform. This was reported by the Reuters agency with reference to the prime minister’s office. Tens of thousands of people have been demonstrating in Israel for several weeks against the reform, which critics say will limit democracy in the country if approved.
Defense Minister Galant, who is a senior member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, said on Saturday that the deepening internal rift caused by efforts to push through the reform posed an imminent threat to the country’s security. According to him, the reform process should be suspended for about a month to allow room for negotiations with the opposition.
According to the AP agency, Galant’s dismissal signals the prime minister’s determination to continue with the plan. As early as next week, a key one could be submitted to the Knesset for approval part of the reform to give the government control over judicial appointments, the agencies said. Netanyahu and his allies have 64 seats out of 120 in parliament.
