Israel
Tens of thousands demonstrate in Israel
Of:
Emil Forsberg
Published: Less than 2 hours ago
Updated: Very recently
NEWS
Violent protests rage in Israel after defense minister fired.
Protesters have forced the cordons outside Prime Minister Netanyahu's home.
- Netanyahu has crossed a red line tonight, says the opposition according to Reuters.
Annica Ögren
Coalition parties rally behind Netanyahu
The parties Shas and United Torah Judaism are lining up behind Prime Minister Ntenyahu and have in each separate statement formulated themselves almost identically that they will "support the Prime Minister and his decision", reports the Times of Israel.
Josefine Karlsson
The security service at Netanyahu's home
Ronen Bar, head of the Israeli security service, has arrived at Prime Minister Netanyahu's home, reports Haaretz.
The demonstrators outside the residence are said to be shouting "Save democracy" to Bar.
Annica Ögren
Reporter: "Biggest protests in Israel's history"
According to Haaretz's reporter in Israel, the protests now underway are potentially the largest in Israel's history.
Organizers of the protests say more than 600,000 people in 120 different locations in Israel are participating in the protests, according to the reporter in a post on Twitter.
Around 300,000 people are estimated to participate in the protests in Tel Aviv alone.
Josefine Karlsson
Protesting in 150 locations
The protests are ongoing in over 150 locations, the Times of Israel reports, citing the police.
Tens of thousands of protesters block the Ayalon highway in Tel Aviv.
Emil Forsberg
Protesters roast marshmallows
The protesters have lit fires on several roads around Israel.
Haaretz correspondent Bar Peleg is now reporting that marshmallow roasting is underway.
Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
On Sunday evening, protesters forced the cordons at Netanyahu's home in Jerusalem, reports Haaretz.
The police beat back the protesters with water cannons.
Thousands of people have also gathered on Tel Aviv's highway where a large bonfire was lit in the middle of the road. Some have brought marshmallows to grill.
Diplomat in New York resigns
At the same time, the opposition in Israel is thundering against the prime minister.
- Netanyahu has crossed a red line tonight, says the opposition according to Reuters.
Israel's Consul General in New York Asaf Zamir also announces that he is leaving his post.
"I can no longer represent the government," he writes on Twitter and adds:
"After today's developments, it is now time for me to join the fight for Israel's future to ensure that the country remains a beacon of democracy and freedom in the world."
All universities in Israel have announced an indefinite strike to protest
Netanyahu's judicial coup.
The new law behind the protests
Defense Minister Gallant was fired after he went out on Saturday and criticized a controversial reform, which will allow parliament to review decisions in the Supreme Court.
The new reform has been described as a heavy blow to democracy in Israel and means, among other things, that the parliament takes control over the appointment of judges.
"We must stand firm in the face of all who refuse to serve," Netanyahu wrote on Twitter.
Protesters have blocked highway in Tel Aviv. Photo: Oren Ziv / AP
The law change would also protect Netanyahu legally during the trial where he is suspected of corruption.
When Netanyahu was on his way to Britain a couple of days ago, riots broke out and he had to be airlifted in a helicopter to get past the protesters.
Cars and large crowds also blocked the international airport. Even the Israeli Defense Forces have shown opposition to the prime minister.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett compares the situation to that of the 1973 Yom Kippur War and calls on Netanyahu to cancel the dismissal of the defense minister.
- The country is facing the greatest danger since the Yom Kippur War. I urge the Prime Minister to withdraw the dismissal, he says.
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