Protests, national strikes in Israel after Netanyahu fires defence minister
Published on Mar 27, 2023 05:38 PM IST
Tens of thousands of people burst into the streets around Israel on the night of March 26 in a spontaneous show of anger at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to fire his defense minister after he called for a pause on a proposed judicial overhaul. Chanting “the country is on fire,” they lit bonfires on Tel Aviv's main highway, closing the throughway and many others throughout the country for hours. The overhaul, driven by Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, and his allies in Israel's most right-wing government ever, has plunged Israel into one of its worst domestic crises, AP reported.
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Published on Mar 27, 2023 05:38 PM IST
Israelis opposed to Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan seen setting up bonfires and blocking a highway after Gallant's dismissal, on March 26. Gallant had called on Netanyahu to freeze the plan, citing deep divisions in the country and turmoil in the military. (Ohad Zwigenberg / AP)
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Published on Mar 27, 2023 05:38 PM IST
A protestor seen at a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he dismissed the defense minister Yaov Gallant, in Jerusalem, March 26. Netanyahu's government, a coalition between his Likud party and extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox allies, has argued the changes are needed to rebalance powers between lawmakers and the judiciary.(Ronen Zvulun / REUTERS)
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Published on Mar 27, 2023 05:38 PM IST
The unrest in Israel has been sparked by Justice Minister Yariv Levin’s proposals to shake up the judiciary by severely curbing the High Court of Justice’s judicial review powers. The overhaul, driven by Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, and his allies in Israel's most right-wing government ever, has plunged Israel into one of its worst domestic crises, AP reported. (Nir Elias / REUTERS)
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Published on Mar 27, 2023 05:38 PM IST
Protesters clash with the police during a rally against the Israeli government's judicial reform in Tel Aviv on March 27. President Isaac Herzog on Monday appealed to Netanyahu to immediately halt his controversial judicial overhaul, warning that the move has put the country's security, economy, and society under threat. (Ahmad Gharabli / AFP)
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Published on Mar 27, 2023 05:38 PM IST
Israelis seen blocking a highway in Tel Aviv, on March 27. About 600,000-700,000 Israelis joined the demonstrations across the country, PTI reported. Protesters in Tel Aviv lit large bonfires, while police scuffled with those who gathered outside Netanyahu's private home in Jerusalem.(Ohad Zwigenberg / AP)
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Published on Mar 27, 2023 05:38 PM IST
Women dressed as handmaidens from "The Handmaid's Tale" seen at a demonstration in Jerusalem, on March 27. Israel's top trade union chief had Monday called a general strike, according to AFP. The Israel Medical Association quickly followed suit, announcing “a full strike in the health system”. (Ammar Awad / REUTERS)
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Published on Mar 27, 2023 05:38 PM IST