Protesters gather after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Reuters
Protesters gather after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Reuters
Protesters gather after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Reuters
Protesters gather after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Reuters

US 'strongly urges' Israel compromise after Netanyahu fires Defence Minister amid protests


Soraya Ebrahimi
  • English
  • Arabic

The White House has "strongly urged" leaders in Israel to find compromise quickly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired the Defence Minister, triggering mass protests.

Thousands of people took to Israel's streets on Sunday in protest after Mr Netanyahu dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant a day after he broke ranks and urged the government to halt plans to overhaul the judicial system.

"We continue to strongly urge Israeli leaders to find a compromise as soon as possible. We believe that is the best path forward for Israel and all of its citizens," White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said.

About three months since taking office, Mr Netanyahu's nationalist-religious coalition has been plunged into crisis over the bitter divisions exposed by its flagship judicial overhaul plans.

The overhaul package would tighten political control over judicial appointments, handing the executive wider freedom to name judges to the Supreme Court.

Asaf Zamir, Israel's consul general in New York, tendered his resignation on Sunday, citing Mr Netanyahu's "dangerous decision".

"Following today's developments, it is now time for me to join the fight for Israel's future to ensure it remains a beacon of democracy and freedom in the world," Mr Zamir said on Twitter.

"As the president recently discussed with Prime Minister Netanyahu, democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the US-Israel relationship," Ms Watson said.

"Democratic societies are strengthened by checks and balances, and fundamental changes to a democratic system should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support."

As news spread of the dismissal, tens of thousands of protesters, many waving blue and white Israeli flags, took to the streets in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Crowds gathered outside Mr Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, at one point breaching a security cordon.

"State security cannot be a card in the political game. Netanyahu crossed a red line tonight," opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz said in a statement.

They called on members of Mr Netanyahu's Likud party not to have a hand in "the crushing of national security".

  • Israeli police officials detain a protester during clashes after a demonstration against the government's judicial overhaul in Tel Aviv. Getty
    Israeli police officials detain a protester during clashes after a demonstration against the government's judicial overhaul in Tel Aviv. Getty
  • Mounted police disperse protesters in Tel Aviv. AP
    Mounted police disperse protesters in Tel Aviv. AP
  • Protesters stand with their arms up as police fire a water cannon in Tel Aviv. Reuters
    Protesters stand with their arms up as police fire a water cannon in Tel Aviv. Reuters
  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands on the floor of the Knesset, the country's parliament in Jerusalem. AFP
    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands on the floor of the Knesset, the country's parliament in Jerusalem. AFP
  • Mounted police officers outside Israel's parliament in Jerusalem. AFP
    Mounted police officers outside Israel's parliament in Jerusalem. AFP
  • Security guards prevent a protester from entering the parliament building. AP
    Security guards prevent a protester from entering the parliament building. AP
  • Opposition leader and former prime minister Yair Lapid speaks outside the parliament in Jerusalem. AFP
    Opposition leader and former prime minister Yair Lapid speaks outside the parliament in Jerusalem. AFP
  • Israelis scuffles with police outside the parliament in Jerusalem. AP
    Israelis scuffles with police outside the parliament in Jerusalem. AP
  • Israeli flags being waved outside the parliament in Jerusalem. Bloomberg
    Israeli flags being waved outside the parliament in Jerusalem. Bloomberg
  • Protesters hold up Israeli flags and placards at the Knesset. AFP
    Protesters hold up Israeli flags and placards at the Knesset. AFP
  • Passengers wait for their flights during a strike at the Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. AFP
    Passengers wait for their flights during a strike at the Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. AFP
  • Travellers look at a monitor displaying delayed flights. Reuters
    Travellers look at a monitor displaying delayed flights. Reuters
  • Protesters hold flags aloft in Jerusalem. Reuters
    Protesters hold flags aloft in Jerusalem. Reuters
  • Flights from Israel's main Ben Gurion Airport were suspended as a general strike against the government's plans spread across several sectors. AP
    Flights from Israel's main Ben Gurion Airport were suspended as a general strike against the government's plans spread across several sectors. AP
  • Demonstrators are demanding that the government ditches the judicial shake-up after protests overnight in which about 600,000 people took to the streets of Israel. AP
    Demonstrators are demanding that the government ditches the judicial shake-up after protests overnight in which about 600,000 people took to the streets of Israel. AP
  • Protesters gather outside the Knesset as part of mass protests in Jerusalem. EPA
    Protesters gather outside the Knesset as part of mass protests in Jerusalem. EPA
  • Israeli police use water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking a road in Tel Aviv. AP
    Israeli police use water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking a road in Tel Aviv. AP
  • The protesters in Tel Aviv hold Israeli flags as they gather around a bonfire. AFP
    The protesters in Tel Aviv hold Israeli flags as they gather around a bonfire. AFP
  • Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets after Mr Netanyahu fired his Mr Gallant for objecting to the judicial reforms. AFP
    Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets after Mr Netanyahu fired his Mr Gallant for objecting to the judicial reforms. AFP
  • Demonstrations erupted in January after the coalition government announced its package of changes. AFP
    Demonstrations erupted in January after the coalition government announced its package of changes. AFP
  • Thousands of protesters clash with the police as they block a highway in Tel Aviv. AFP
    Thousands of protesters clash with the police as they block a highway in Tel Aviv. AFP
  • A protester shouts anti-government slogans in Jerusalem after Israel's Defence Minister was dismissed. Reuters
    A protester shouts anti-government slogans in Jerusalem after Israel's Defence Minister was dismissed. Reuters
  • Demonstrators outside Mr Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem. AFP
    Demonstrators outside Mr Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem. AFP
  • Members of security forces form a barricade to prevent protesters from blocking a road in Tel Aviv. Reuters
    Members of security forces form a barricade to prevent protesters from blocking a road in Tel Aviv. Reuters
  • A violent scene during a rally in Tel Aviv. AFP
    A violent scene during a rally in Tel Aviv. AFP
  • Protesters rampage through the streets in Tel Aviv. AFP
    Protesters rampage through the streets in Tel Aviv. AFP
  • Police use a water cannon on violent protesters in Tel Aviv. AFP
    Police use a water cannon on violent protesters in Tel Aviv. AFP
  • Israelis block a road in Tel Aviv. AP
    Israelis block a road in Tel Aviv. AP

Mr Netanyahu was poised to ratify legislation that would tighten political control over judicial appointments.

That bill, and others that would limit Supreme Court powers to rule against government policy, have led to warnings at home and abroad over Israel's democracy.

Mr Gallant on Saturday became the most senior member of Mr Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party to say he would not support the judicial overhaul.

He said protests that included growing numbers of military reservists were also undermining national security.

"At this time, for the sake of our country, I am willing to take any risk and pay any price," Mr Gallant said in his televised address.

The response came on Sunday night.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided this evening to dismiss Defence Minister Yoav Gallant," Mr Netanyahu's office said. It did not name a replacement or give any other details.

Shortly after his dismissal, Mr Gallant, 64, wrote on Twitter: "The state of Israel’s security has always been and will always be my life’s mission.”

Mr Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges that he denies, says the judicial overhaul will balance the branches of government.

Critics, from business leaders to former military officers and opposition parties, say the overhaul will weaken Israel's democracy, hurt the economy and hand uncontrolled powers to the government.

A key bill effectively giving Mr Netanyahu's coalition more control over the appointment of judges is expected to be brought for ratification this week in the Knesset, where he and his allies hold 64 of 120 seats.

But how, or even whether, that unscheduled vote will proceed has been thrown into question by Likud dissenters.

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Power: 671hp

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Range: 456km

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Three tips from La Perle's performers

1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.

2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.

3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.

China and the UAE agree comprehensive strategic partnership

China and the UAE forged even closer links between the two countries during the landmark state visit after finalising a ten-point agreement on a range of issues, from international affairs to the economy and trade and renewable energy.

1. Politics: The two countries agreed to support each other on issues of security and to work together on regional and international challenges. The nations also confirmed that the number of high-level state visits between China and the UAE will increase.

2. Economy: The UAE offers its full support to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which will combine a land 'economic belt" and a "maritime silk road" that will link China with the Arabian Gulf as well as Southeast, South and Central China, North Africa and, eventually, Europe. 

3. Business and innovation: The two nations are committed to exploring new partnerships in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, energy, the aviation and transport industries and have vowed to build economic co-operation through the UAE-China Business Committee.

4. Education, science and technology: The Partnership Programme between Arab countries in Science and Technology will encourage young Emirati scientists to conduct research in China, while the nations will work together on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, renewable energy and space projects. 

5. Renewable energy and water: The two countries will partner to develop renewable energy schemes and work to reduce climate change. The nations have also reiterated their support for the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency.

6. Oil and gas: The UAE and China will work in partnership in the crude oil trade and the exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources.

7. Military and law enforcement and security fields: Joint training will take place between the Chinese and UAE armed forces, while the two nations will step up efforts to combat terrorism and organised crime. 

8. Culture and humanitarian issues: Joint cultural projects will be developed and partnerships will be cultivated on the preservation of heritage, contemporary art and tourism. 

9. Movement between countries: China and the UAE made clear their intent to encourage travel between the countries through a wide-ranging visa waiver agreement.

10. Implementing the strategic partnership: The Intergovernmental Co-operation Committee, established last year, will be used to ensure the objectives of the partnership are implemented.

 

 

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics

 

F1 drivers' standings

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281

2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247

3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222

4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177

5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138

6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93

7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86

8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56

RACE RESULTS

1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1hr 21min 48.527sec
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) at 0.658sec
3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 6.012 
4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 7.430
5. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN/Ferrari) 20.370
6. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) 1:13.160
7. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Force India) 1 lap
8. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) 1 lap
9. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) 1 lap
10. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) 1 lap
11. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) 1 lap
12. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) 1 lap
13. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) 1 lap
14. Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber) 1 lap
15. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) 2 laps
16. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) 3 laps

How to register as a donor

1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention

2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants

3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register. 

4) The campaign uses the hashtag  #donate_hope

Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

Updated: March 27, 2023, 9:47 AM