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

Crisis escalates as Yoav Gallant is dismissed for objecting to judicial reforms

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

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".

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  Israeli police officials detain a protester during clashes after a demonstration against the government's judicial overhaul in Tel Aviv. Getty

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  Mounted police disperse protesters in Tel Aviv. AP

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  Protesters stand with their arms up as police fire a water cannon in Tel Aviv. Reuters

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  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands on the floor of the Knesset, the country's parliament in Jerusalem. AFP

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  Mounted police officers outside Israel's parliament in Jerusalem. AFP

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  Security guards prevent a protester from entering the parliament building. AP

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  Opposition leader and former prime minister Yair Lapid speaks outside the parliament in Jerusalem. AFP

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  Israelis scuffles with police outside the parliament in Jerusalem. AP

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  Israeli flags being waved outside the parliament in Jerusalem. Bloomberg

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  Protesters hold up Israeli flags and placards at the Knesset. AFP

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  Passengers wait for their flights during a strike at the Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. AFP

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  Travellers look at a monitor displaying delayed flights. Reuters

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  Protesters hold flags aloft in Jerusalem. Reuters

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  Flights from Israel's main Ben Gurion Airport were suspended as a general strike against the government's plans spread across several sectors. AP

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  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

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  Protesters gather outside the Knesset as part of mass protests in Jerusalem. EPA

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  Israeli police use water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking a road in Tel Aviv. AP

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  The protesters in Tel Aviv hold Israeli flags as they gather around a bonfire. AFP

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  Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets after Mr Netanyahu fired his Mr Gallant for objecting to the judicial reforms. AFP

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  Demonstrations erupted in January after the coalition government announced its package of changes. AFP

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  Thousands of protesters clash with the police as they block a highway in Tel Aviv. AFP

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  A protester shouts anti-government slogans in Jerusalem after Israel's Defence Minister was dismissed. Reuters

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  Demonstrators outside Mr Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem. AFP

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  Members of security forces form a barricade to prevent protesters from blocking a road in Tel Aviv. Reuters

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  A violent scene during a rally in Tel Aviv. AFP

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  Protesters rampage through the streets in Tel Aviv. AFP

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  Police use a water cannon on violent protesters in Tel Aviv. AFP

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  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.