Netanyahu puts judicial reform on hold.
March 27, 2023Tweet
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suspended the controversial judicial overhaul, after months of protests across the country. He ordered a "timeout" on the legislation until after the Knesset recess, in order to give a real opportunity for dialogue. The reform is a key demand of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and if it leaves the governing coalition, Netanyahu will lose his majority and have to call another election. The announcement comes after Netanyahu fired his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, who challenged the reform, arguing that it threatens national security. As the protests intensified, resulting in clashes with police, Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged the governing coalition to stop legislation immediately, warning that the unrest is threatening the nation's security, economy, and society.