Thousands have turned out in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to protest after Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu fired his defence minister who criticised plans for an overhaul of the country's judiciary. Sky's AliBunkallSKY has the latest Latest: 📺 Sky 501
They would see ministers hold more control over the appointments of judges, including in the Supreme Court, while diminishing that body's ability to veto legislation or rule against the government.Footage showed huge crowds blocking Tel Aviv's main highway, and protestors lighting a bonfire in the street.A water cannon was used on protestors after they broke barricades near Mr Netanyahu's home in the city.
One of those demonstrating told Sky's Alistair Bunkall that the proposed overhaul of the judiciary was"damaging the country […] and the unity of the country".Protests are set to continue this week as the right-wing and staunchly conservative government moves to push its proposals through the Knesset, its legislature, with universities announcing a general strike for Monday.
Israel's police chief said officers would not allow public disturbances and damage to symbols of government.Hours after the announcement that Mr Gallant had been fired, Israel's consul general in New York, Asaf Zamir, quit.Opposition leader Yair Lapid tweeted that Mr Netanyahu had become"a threat to the security of the state of Israel".
On Saturday, he said:"I declare loudly and publicly, for the sake of Israel's security, for the sake of our sons and daughters, the legislative process should be stopped. "The victory of a single side, whether it be in the halls of the Knesset [Israeli parliament], or on the streets of our cities, will lead to a loss for the State of Israel."
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