BICOM

What happened: There were huge demonstrations last night across the country following the announcement that Prime Minister Netanyahu had fired Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

• A general strike has since been called across Israel.
• Arnon Bar David, Chair of National Israeli Trade Union said “Today we are facing a historic moment where workers and employers together join hands, and together close the State of Israel”.
• As part of the strike, all departures from Ben Gurion Airport have been halted.
• Gallant was fired after he spoke out again the government’s planned reforms. On Saturday night he warned, “The growing rift in our society, is penetrating the IDF and security agencies. This poses a clear, immediate, and tangible threat to the security of the state. I will not allow this.” (Read Gallant’s full speech here).
• In Tel Aviv, thousands of people blocked the main Ayalon motorway for several hours. Eventually the police were forced to use water cannons and mounted police to disperse them.
• In Jerusalem, protestors broke through up to the final barrier outside the prime minister’s private residence.
• Leader of the Opposition Yair Lapid, along with Benny Gantz, issued a joint statement saying, “The country’s security cannot be a bargaining chip in the political game. Netanyahu crossed a red line this evening. We call on the Likud ministers, on the Likud MKs, do not lend a hand to destroying national security. Anyone who takes the job of defence minister will bring shame onto himself. The eyes of the people look to you in hope. It is still possible to stop.”
• During the evening, Israeli consul-general in New York, Assaf Zamir, resigned. (He was a political appointment by the Bennett-Lapid government).
• Former Prime Minister Bennett told Channel 12 News, “The State of Israel is in the greatest danger it has been since the Yom Kippur War. I call on the prime minister to retract his letter of dismissal to Gallant, to suspend the reform and to pause until after Independence Day. It doesn’t matter who is right and who is wrong. I call on all the demonstrators and on all Israeli citizens—do everything without violence, without bloodshed. We are brothers.”
• There were also protests in London, with a demonstration outside the home of Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely.
• This morning President Herzog appealed to the prime minister and the government, “the entire nation is rapt with deep worry. Our security, economy, society — all are under threat… The whole world is looking at you. For the sake of the unity of the People of Israel, for the sake of the necessary responsibility, I call on you to halt the legislative process immediately.”

Legislative Process: In parallel to the protests the Knesset committees met last night and approved the second Deri bill ahead of a vote in its second and third readings. The bill is designed to circumvent the Supreme Court’s decision not to allow Shas leader Aryeh Deri to serve as a minister, removing its right to rule on ministerial appointments.

• This morning the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee reconvened to approve the bill to change the composition of the Judges Selection Committee for its second and third readings.

Context: Last night’s developments represent the most seismic moment in the near three-month period of intense national division following the coalition’s announcement of its package of judicial reforms. Whilst the full government response is uncertain, the events prompted the clearest signs yet of the possibility of a halt to the reform process by a previously bullish Netanyahu government.

• The fervour of last night’s protest, mostly led by young people, was unpreceded even after twelve consecutive weeks of weekly weekend protests.
• The removal of the defence minister from his post was widely interpreted as having crossed a red line.
• This morning it is being anticipated that Netanyahu will announce that the legislation will be suspended, but Justice Minister Levin is trying to dissuade him from doing so and threatening to resign.
• Already last night three Likud ministers announced that they would support the prime minister if he were to decide to suspend the legislative process: Nir Barkat, Miki Zohar and Amichai Chikli. Barkat wrote on Twitter: “The reform is necessary but not at the price of civil war.” Zohar wrote: “when the house is burning, you don’t ask who is right, you pour water on it and you save the people inside.”
• Ultra-orthodox coalition partners Shas and United Torah Judaism both now support suspending the legislation.
• Several Mayors, including from Likud, have also made calls to stop the legislation. Some have announced they are going on a hunger strike outside the Prime Minister’s Office.
• Many in Israel’s security establishment are concerned that the domestic feuds will give a headwind to Israel’s enemies.

Looking ahead: It is anticipated that Prime Minister Netanyahu will make an announcement shortly. To continue to follow the latest news, follow BICOM’s twitter feed here.

• There will be a large demonstration outside the Knesset at 1400 this afternoon.