Israel hit with fresh protests after Netanyahu fires defence minister opposed to judicial reforms

Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired his defence minister after he opposed the government’s highly-controversial judicial reforms.

Mr Netanyahu on Sunday fired defence minister Yoav Gallant after he broke ranks and urged the government to reconsider plans would limit the Supreme Court’s powers and tighten political control over judicial appointments.

Critics have accused Mr Netanyahu’s government of seeking to dismantle democratic checks and balances, and Israel has been rocked by months of protest over the proposed move.

Shortly after news of Mr Gallant’s firing broke, tens of thousands of Israelis poured into the streets in protest, blocking Tel Aviv’s major Ayalon highway.

Demonstrations also took place in Beersheba, Haifa and Jerusalem, where thousands of people gathered outside Netanyahu’s private residence.

Mr Gallant had voiced concerns about the plans on Saturday night, saying in a televised address: “At this time, for the sake of our country, I am willing to take any risk and pay any price.”

The Israeli government has not named a successor as defence minister.

Shortly after Mr Gallant’s firing, Israel’s consul-general in New York also said he was resigning in protest.

“I can no longer continue representing this government,” Asaf Zamir said on Twitter.

“I believe it is my duty to ensure that Israel remains a beacon of democracy and freedom in the world.”

A key bill effectively giving Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist coalition more control over the appointment of judges is expected to be brought for ratification this week in Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, where he and his allies wield 64 out of 120 seats.

Mr Netanyahu and his allies say the reforms will restore a balance between the judicial and executive branches and rein in what they see as an interventionist Supreme Court.

The vote has yet to be scheduled.