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
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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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%3Cp%3E-%20US%20Congress%20is%20divided%20into%20two%20chambers%3A%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives%20and%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20435%20members%20make%20up%20the%20House%2C%20and%20100%20in%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20party%20needs%20control%20of%20218%20seats%20to%20have%20a%20majority%20in%20the%20House%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20In%20the%20Senate%2C%20a%20party%20needs%20to%20hold%2051%20seats%20for%20control%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20In%20the%20event%20of%20a%2050-50%20split%2C%20the%20vice%20president's%20party%20retains%20power%20in%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Arrogate's winning run

1. Maiden Special Weight, Santa Anita Park, June 5, 2016

2. Allowance Optional Claiming, Santa Anita Park, June 24, 2016

3. Allowance Optional Claiming, Del Mar, August 4, 2016

4. Travers Stakes, Saratoga, August 27, 2016

5. Breeders' Cup Classic, Santa Anita Park, November 5, 2016

6. Pegasus World Cup, Gulfstream Park, January 28, 2017

7. Dubai World Cup, Meydan Racecourse, March 25, 2017

What is Reform?

Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.

It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.

Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.

After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.

Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.

The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETribute%20Games%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dotemu%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20One%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
NEW ARRIVALS

Benjamin Mendy (Monaco) - £51.75m (Dh247.94m)
Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur) - £45.9m
Bernardo Silva (Monaco) - £45m
Ederson Moraes (Benfica) - £36m
Danilo (Real Madrid) - £27m
Douglas Luiz (Vasco de Gama) - £10.8m 

Hunger and Fury: The Crisis of Democracy in the Balkans
Jasmin Mujanović, Hurst Publishers

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Signs%20of%20%20%20%20%20%20%20heat%20stroke
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20loss%20of%20sodium%20chloride%20in%20our%20sweat%20can%20lead%20to%20confusion%20and%20an%20altered%20mental%20status%20and%20slurred%20speech%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBody%20temperature%20above%2039%C2%B0C%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHot%2C%20dry%20and%20red%20or%20damp%20skin%20can%20indicate%20heatstroke%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EA%20faster%20pulse%20than%20usual%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDizziness%2C%20nausea%20and%20headaches%20are%20also%20signs%20of%20overheating%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIn%20extreme%20cases%2C%20victims%20can%20lose%20consciousness%20and%20require%20immediate%20medical%20attention%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback

Price, base: Dh315,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm

Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km

WHAT IS GRAPHENE?

It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.

Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.

By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.

In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. 

The biog

Favourite car: Ferrari

Likes the colour: Black

Best movie: Avatar

Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy

FIGHT CARD

Bantamweight Hamza Bougamza (MAR) v Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)

Catchweight 67kg Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) v Fouad Mesdari (ALG)

Lighweight Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) v Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)

Catchweight 73kg Mostafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) v Yazid Chouchane (ALG)

Middleweight Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) v Badreddine Diani (MAR)

Catchweight 78kg Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Adnan Bushashy (ALG)

Middleweight Sallaheddine Dekhissi (MAR) v Abdel Emam (EGY)

Catchweight 65kg Rachid Hazoume (MAR) v Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG)

Lighweight Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)

Catchweight 79kg Omar Hussein (PAL) v Souhil Tahiri (ALG)

Middleweight Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Laid Zerhouni (ALG)

Updated: March 27, 2023, 9:47 AM