Netanyahu fires his defense minister

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (73) has fired Defense Minister Joav Galant (64) after calling for a halt to controversial judicial reform. Netanyahu’s right-wing conservative Likud party announced this on Sunday evening. There have been protests for months against the reform, which is intended to limit the influence of the Supreme Court. The plans of the right-wing religious government have also led to international criticism.

Surprisingly, the previous defense minister called on his own government on Saturday evening to enter into dialogue with critics. Galant warned that national security could be seriously compromised. The background is that many reservists did not show up in protest against the reform. Netanyahu responded by firing him. Nevertheless, his coalition wants to implement key elements of the reform in the coming days.

separation of powers in jeopardy

Galant was the highest government member to criticize the project. The newspaper “Jediot Achronot” with a large circulation on Sunday ran the headline: “Rebellion within the Likud”. The government accuses the Supreme Court of excessive interference in political decisions. It should therefore be possible in the future for Parliament to overturn Supreme Court decisions by a simple majority. Critics see the separation of powers as a cornerstone of democracy in danger and warn of a state crisis.

Galant’s appeal received a mixed response. He also received support from the Likud party. Other coalition members, however, called for his resignation. Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (46) wrote on Twitter that Galant succumbed to pressure from the media and demonstrators. Opposition leader Jair Lapid, 59, called his call a “brave step” that was important for Israel’s security. He called on the government to stop the legislation.

After Galant’s speech, the organizers of the mass protests against the reform announced that the demonstrations would continue until the reform plans were completely abandoned. You have announced a “week of disruption” with numerous protests. According to media reports, about 200,000 protesters gathered in the coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv on Saturday evening. Tens of thousands took part in rallies in other cities as well.

“Don’t Be the Fools Any Longer”

Experts assume that the months-long mass protests are not just about judicial reform, but that the liberal camp is also venting its anger over other deep-seated issues. “We no longer want to be the fools,” Lapid wrote. “We don’t live in this country just to pay taxes and send our children into the army. Amidst the gloom of recent months, something miraculous has also happened: the liberal camp has woken up.”

The vote on a law that should give government politicians more influence in the appointment of judges could take place as early as Monday. It is still unclear how critics of the reform will vote within the government. The coalition only has a majority of four seats in parliament.

Galant said in his speech that he had heard disturbing statements from army commanders in recent weeks. He spoke of “anger, pain and disappointment with an intensity I’ve never experienced before”. Galant warned, “The threats around us are great.” He referred to the ongoing conflict with the Palestinians and the Iranian nuclear program. In a televised report, reserve fighter pilots threatened not to participate in a possible attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities if the reform went ahead. “I will not be a mercenary of a dictatorial regime,” said one pilot.

The situation also remains very tense in the Palestinian territories: for the third time in a month there was an attack on Israelis in the West Bank town of Huwara on Saturday night. According to the army, two soldiers were injured, one of them seriously. According to reports, a suspected Palestinian gunman was shot from a moving car. Just under a week ago, an Israeli was seriously injured in an attack in the city. A month ago, two Israeli brothers were murdered there. This was followed by serious rioting by Israeli settlers. (SDA)

Source: Blick