https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-03-26/ty-article-live/senior-likud-members-hint-at-opposing-judicial-overhaul/00000187-1c81-d4ca-afff-1d89ee5b0000 Search Haaretz - back to home page LOG INSUBSCRIBE NOWSubscribe now accessibility Open menu In the News * Israel's judicial coup * Explainer * Tracking the bills * Ramadan * Gallant * Kohelet * U.S. - Israel * Israeli settlements * IDF psy-op * Putin * Yodfat Haaretz | Israel News Night of Chaos in Israel: Hundreds of Thousands Take to Streets After Netanyahu Fires Defense Minister Mar 26, 2023 Share in WhatsApp Share in Facebook SaveSave article to reading list Send in e-mailSend in e-mail Share in Facebook Share in Twitter Send in e-mailSend in e-mail SaveSave article to reading list Zen Read Print article LIVE Open gallery view Israeli protesters take to Tel Aviv streets after Netanyahu shock firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Israeli protesters take to Tel Aviv streets after Netanyahu shock firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.Credit: Tomer Appelbaum Mar 26, 2023 * Demonstrators block roads across Israel, protests at over 150 locations * U.S. 'deeply concerned by ongoing developments in Israel' * Supreme Court gives Netanyahu a week to respond to petition * Movement for Quality Government in Israel calls on court to punish Netanyahu * Agriculture Minister plans to vote for overhaul legislation * Senior Likud MKs hint at opposition to judicial overhaul * Demonstrators block roads across Israel, protests at over 150 locations * U.S. 'deeply concerned by ongoing developments in Israel' * Supreme Court gives Netanyahu a week to respond to petition * Movement for Quality Government in Israel calls on court to punish Netanyahu * Agriculture Minister plans to vote for overhaul legislation * Senior Likud MKs hint at opposition to judicial overhaul Updates (*) From last to first ( ) From first to last Michael Hauser Tov Michael Hauser Tov 1:48 AM Senior Likud sources: Justice Minister Levin must resign Senior sources at Netanyahu's Likud party called on Justice Minister Yariv Levin to resign Sunday night, for "bringing Israel to the brink of a civil war." Jonathan Lis Jonathan Lis 1:15 AM Three coalition lawmakers express reserved support for halting judicial overhaul legislation Israel's Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar announced Sunday night that he will support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he decides to freeze the judicial overhaul legislation. "The reform of the judicial system is necessary and essential, but when a home is on fire, we don't ask who is right, but pour water and save its occupants," Zohar wrote. "If the prime minister decides to stop the legislation to [heal] the rift that has formed in the nation, we must support his position." Economy Minister Nir Barkat of Likud also said he will back Netanyahu if he decides to halt the legislation, saying that "the [judicial] reform is needed and we will carry it out - but not at the cost of a civil war." Another coalition lawmaker, Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli, announced that he is in favor of "accepting [former Defense Minister and opposition lawmaker Benny Gantz's call [for dialogue] that seems to come from a sincere place." new-hdc-logo Haaretz 1:05 AM Thousands protesting outside Israel's Knesset Yael Freidson Yael Freidson, Nir Hasson 1:01 AM Shin Bet chief arrives at Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem The head of Israel's Shin Bet security service arrived at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's home in central Jerusalem Monday night, as protests take place throughout the country against Netanyahu's judicial coup. Protesters in the area are heard calling on Bar to "Save democracy" Josh Breiner Josh Breiner, Hagar Shezaf 12:51 AM Anti-judicial coup protesters in central Tel Aviv attacked by two drivers Protesters at an anti-judicial coup rally on Ayalon Highway in central Tel Aviv were attacked by two drivers who tried to breach roadblocks put up by protesters. A video which captured the event shows one of the drivers briefly try to hit protesters with his car, before exiting the vehicle and attacking them with his hands and a flag pole. Another driver is then seen pepper-spraying protesters. new-hdc-logo Haaretz 12:24 AM Anti-Netanyahu protesters block roads across Israel, protests at over 150 locations Open gallery view Anti-judicial coup protesters block traffic near Modi'in in central Israel. Anti-judicial coup protesters are blocking roads and intersections at multiple locations across Israel on Sunday night to protest Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Gallant. According to police, demonstrations are taking place at over 150 locations. Apart from the Ayalon Highway in central Tel Aviv, demonstrators are blocking traffic outside the central city of Modi'in, near the northern city of Karmiel and in central Haifa, and the entrance to the city of Be'er Sheva in Israel's south. Protesters are also protesting outside the home of Likud lawmaker Danny Danon in Ra'anana in central israel. Open gallery view Protesters demonstrate outside house of Likud MK Danny Danon in Ra'anana in central Israel, on Monday. Bar Peleg Bar Peleg 12:17 AM Knesset Constitution Committee cancels overnight discussion on key judicial overhaul bill The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee canceled a discussion scheduled for Sunday night in which it was scheduled to discuss a bill that would grant the coalition control over the composition of the Judicial Appointments Committee. Bar Peleg Bar Peleg 12:10 AM 23 Israeli local council heads to start hunger strike following Gallant dismissal 23 Israeli local council leaders announced Sunday night that they intend to start a hunger strike in front of the prime minister's office, demanding him to halt the judicial overhaul legislation. In a public statement, the local council leaders called to stop what they called a "legislative blitz," to hold negotiations, "and allow the country to deal with the enormous security challenges facing it." Ben Samuels Ben Samuels 12:06 AM Biden administration sharply rejects claim by Yair Netanyahu that U.S. funds anti-gov't protests WASHINGTON - The Biden administration on Sunday sharply rejected conspiracy theories spread by Yair Netanyahu, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's son, concerning allegations that the U.S. has been funding protests against the judicial overhaul in hopes of leading to the prime minister's downfall. Officials close to Netanyahu have been increasingly emboldened in sharing such theories, rooted in right-wing media reports alleging that the State Department provides grant money to the Movement for Quality Government, one of the key organizations behind the mass protest movements. "These accusations are completely false," a State Department spokesperson said. "[Movement for Quality Government] received a modest grant from the State Department that was initiated during the previous administration," the spokesperson noted, adding that "the last disbursal of funds came in September of 2022, well before the last Israeli election." The spokesperson added that the grant in question "supported an educational program for Jerusalem schools that supplemented their civic studies curriculum." A senior Israeli official recently alleged that this is "not the first time the U.S. has interfered in Israel's domestic affairs. They tried to remove Netanyahu from office twice before. They have rudely interfered in the past. Clinton tried to get rid of Netanyahu, he admitted as much." The only two times a U.S. president visited Israel during a election campaign occurred under separate Democratic administrations in hotly contested campaigns where Netanyahu eventually emerged victorious - in 1996, when former U.S. President Bill Clinton visited in what effectively amounted as an endorsement for Shimon Peres, and this past summer when Biden visited and took pains to praise both former Prime Minister Yair Lapid and his predecessor Naftali Bennett. Resources and databases belonging to a public diplomacy project on the peace process funded by the U.S. State Department were used by V15, a local group that sought to topple Netanyahu in the 2015 election, according to a U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations report. The report, which was launched following outcry from Netanyahu and his supporters in both Israel and the U.S., noted the material was not obtained by V15 due to a deliberate decision by senior State Department officials, rather thanks to negligence from mid-level diplomats. Michael Hauser Tov Michael Hauser Tov 11:56 PM Police uses water cannon against protesters in front of PM residence in Jerusalem new-hdc-logo Haaretz 11:55 PM Former Israeli PM Bennett: Israel is facing the greatest danger since Yom Kippur War Open gallery view Former PM Bennett at the Knesset, last year.Credit: Amit Shabi Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday evening to cancel the dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Galant. "The country is facing the greatest danger since the Yom Kippur War," Bennett wrote, "I call on the Prime Minister to withdraw Galant's dismissal letter, suspend the [Judicial] reform and begin negotiations until after the Day of Independence. It doesn't matter who is right and who is wrong. I call on all the demonstrators and all the citizens of Israel - do everything without violence, without bloodshed. We are brothers." 11:34 PM 100 protesters block a road near Gaza border 100 protesters are blocking road 234 in southern Israel, close to the country's border with Gaza, in a spontaneous demonstration organized via whatsapp groups at 10PM local time Open gallery view Anti government protests near Gaza border 11:31 PM Israeli universities announce indefinite strike in protest of judicial coup Israeli universities announced on Sunday an indefinite strike, including cessation of all classes and research in protest of the Netanyahu government's judicial coup. The decision came after a meeting between the vice chancellors of all higher education research institutions in Israel. All universities will join the strike except Ariel University, located in the West Bank, which has yet to announce its decision. 11:17 PM Israeli Consul General in New York resigns from his post Asaf Zamir, Consul General of Israel in New York resigned from his post on Sunday following Yoav Gallant's dismissal in order to 'stand up for what is right and fight for the democratic values I believe in' 11:12 PM Violent clashes between protesters and police outside Prime Minister Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem Hundreds of protesters are clashing with Israeli police and attempting to break through barricades outside Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem. Ben Samuels Ben Samuels 11:06 PM U.S. 'deeply concerned by ongoing developments in Israel' After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for speaking out against judicial overhaul on Sunday, U.S. National Security Council Spokesperson said, "We are deeply concerned by the ongoing developments in Israel, which further underscore the urgent need for compromise. "As the President recently discussed with PM Netanyahu directly, democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Democratic societies are strengthened by genuine checks and balances, and fundamental changes should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support. We continue to strongly urge Israeli leaders to find a compromise as soon as possible that is based on broad popular support, he added. 10:59 PM Protesters light bonfires as thousands block major Tel Aviv highway Protesters light bonfires on Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv Open gallery view Ayalon Highway on SundayCredit: Itay Ron 10:55 PM Chairman of the Histadrut Labor Federation to convene press conference in response to Gallant's dissmissal The chairman of the Histadrut labor federation Arnon Ben David met with the senior industrial leaders on Sunday and announced he will convene a press conference following PM Netanyahu's dismissal of Defense Minster Yoav Gallant. After Gallant called on Saturday to freeze the legislative coup, Ben David said "Israel's security and social unity are paramount...I call on Prime Minister Netanyahu to stop and unify the nation." new-hdc-logo Haaretz 10:47 PM Former Shin Bet officers call on Dichter to refuse defense ministry post Former Shin Bet security service officers called on Sunday night on Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Avi Dichter to refuse the post of Defense Minister. Dichter is a leading candidate to replace Yoav Gallant who was fired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier on Sunday. 10:26 PM Netanyahu: We must stand firm in face of anyone who refuses to serve After sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he fired Defense Minster Gallant for being 'too soft' on the growing number of military reservists who refused to report to duty, Netanyahu tweeted that 'we must stand firm in the face of anyone who refuses to serve.' 10:21 PM Thousands stream into streets after Netanyahu's shock firing of defense minister, block major highway Anti-government protests leaders announced a series of impromptu demonstrations in response to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's dismissal on Sunday night. Thousands of protesters are blocking south and northbound traffic on Ayalon Highway and further demonstrations are planned outside the Prime Minster's residence in Jerusalem. Open gallery view Israeli protesters take to Tel Aviv streets after Netanyahu shock firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.Credit: Tomer Appelbaum Open gallery view Israeli protester in Ra'anana, on Sunday.Credit: Allison Kaplan Sommer 10:14 PM Gallant will address Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday MK Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee told Haaretz the committee will convene on Monday. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will participate in the meeting which was scheduled before he was dismissed from his post on Sunday by Prime Minister Netanyahu 10:01 PM Former IDF Chief of Staff Eisenkot: Netanyahu is gambling with our lives Former IDF Chief of Staff and National Unity Party MK Gadi Eisenkot said in response to Netanyahu's dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant that, "Netanyahu has shown that Israel's security is not his priority. Firing Gallant will destroy Netanyahu's legacy. He is gambling with our lives." 9:50 PM Gallant : Israel's security was and always will be my life's goal In response to his dismissal from the post of Israel's defense minister earlier on Sunday, Yoav Gallant said, 'Israel's security was and always will be my life's goal' 9:47 PM Sources close to Netanyahu: Gallant's weak response to reservists' protests got him fired Sources close to Netanyahu accuse former Defense Minster Gallant of a weak response to the growing number of military reservists and objectors who have called to refuse to serve as a result of the government's judicial coup. A senior source added that if the IDF Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi won't change his attitude to the reservists and objectors - Netanyahu will fire him as well. Bar Peleg Bar Peleg, Adi Hashmonai 9:41 PM Protest leaders call for impromptu demonstration after dismissal of defense minister Following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, protest leaders called for an impromptu demonstration on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv. Additionally, some called for demonstrations of support outside Gallant's residence. Michael Hauser Tov Michael Hauser Tov 9:37 PM Labor Leader Michaeli: Now, more than ever - Netanyahu is a danger to Israel Labor Party leader Merav Michaeli responded to Netanyahu's firing of Defense Minister Gallant by saying that "Israel's defense minister spoke on behalf of senior military and security establishment officials when he warned of a clear and present danger to Israel's security. Now, more than ever - Netanyahu is a danger to Israel." National Unity party MK Gideon Sa'ar called Netanyahu's decision "an act of madness, indicating a total lack of judgment. It is unprecedented to fire a defense minister for voicing his concern, as his role demands, about threats to Israel's security. Netanyahu is determined to send the country to hell." The Movement for Quality Government responded to Gallant's dismissal, saying it "takes very seriously the dismissal of Yoav Gallant from his position as Minister of Defense. Netanyahu has proved once again that he is unable to fulfill his role. He is not institutionally, ethically or morally qualified. The movement will consider legal action to stop these scandalous and disgraceful dismissals." Michael Hauser Tov Michael Hauser Tov 9:32 PM Ben-Gvir: The people demand reform! I congratulate the prime minister for dismissing Gallant Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed his support for Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. "The people demand reform! Whoever capitulates to the military objectors cannot remain at his post even for one moment. Gallant couldn't handle the pressure and led a policy of containment and surrender to terrorism. I congratulate the prime minister for his decision." Michael Hauser Tov Michael Hauser Tov 9:25 PM Opposition leader Yair Lapid: Netanyahu is a danger to Israel In response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday night, Israel's opposition leader Yair Lapid said that the prime minister is 'a danger to Israel'. Gallant's sacking, for expressing his concern for Israel's security, is a new low for this anti-Zionist government that ignores all warnings and endangers the country," Lapid said. "Netanyahu can dismiss Gallant, but he can't dismiss reality or the people of Israel who are fronting up to resist the coalition's madness." Michael Hauser Tov Michael Hauser Tov 9:01 PM Netanyahu fires Defense Minister Gallant for calling to stop judicial overhaul Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for calling to stop the judicial overhaul. In a meeting on Sunday night, Netanyahu summoned Gallant and told him he no longer has faith in him as defense minister due to his call to freeze the government's judicial coup legislation. On Saturday night, amid the largest protest against the coalition's legislative blitz, Gallant called to freeze the plan, citing risk to the army's readiness and the growing national rift. Netanyahu refused Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's requests to convene the cabinet to discuss the worsening security situation and the implications of the overhaul on the country's military. The prime minister's office denied the claim. Gallant asked multiple times in recent weeks to bring defense establishment representatives before government ministers in order to describe the deteriorating security situation and the effect of the political crisis on the IDF's reservist-based system. Last Thursday, Gallant announced he would convene a press conference in the evening. It was expected he would announce his opposition to the judicial coup. Netanyahu summoned the Defense Minister to a hurried meeting, after which Gallant called off the Press conference and wait for the prime minister's announcement later that evening. Netanyahu then vowed during a televised speech to push forward with his judicial overhaul despite a conflict of interest agreement barring him from making changes to Israel's judicial system while on trial for three counts of corruption. Open gallery view Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at a seafaring graduation ceremony, 2023.Credit: Fadi Amun 8:01 PM Hundreds of protesters blocking major Tel Aviv freeway Hundreds of Israelis have blocked a major freeway in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening against the Netanyahu government's judicial coup. The protesters had blocked Ayalon Highway on both sides, mobilizing and dispersing voluntarily without police interference. Reports say that the protesters are blocking one of the highway exits close to Knesset Chairman Amir Ohana's home in southern Tel Aviv. Protesters blocking Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv new-hdc-logo Haaretz 7:44 PM Netanyahu's attorney: Court has no authority to discuss petition for contempt of court Attorney Michael Rabilo responded on behalf of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the High Court regarding the petition against him for contempt of court. On behalf of Netanyahu, Attorney Michael Rabilo said "The Prime Minister's position is that the petitions should be rejected outright due to a lack of authority [by the court] and grounds for judicial intervention." Rabilo went on to say that following the passage of the amendment to the law on declaring the prime minister unfit for office, "the matter mentioned in the petition is not within the authority of the honorable court, and therefore the petition should be rejected outright. "Even before the adoption of the aforementioned law, it would have been appropriate to reject the petition outright, since the petitioners actually asked the court, under the guise of an 'administrative' petition, to replace the people's elected officials and to issue orders that instruct the removal of a sitting prime minister and a change of government without a decision by elected officials in the Knesset and without any authority in the law." Bar Peleg Bar Peleg, Nati Yefet, Nir Hasson 7:33 PM Hundreds of Israelis protesting outside senior Likud Ministers' homes across the country Hundreds of protesters have gathered in front of Israel's Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Avi Dichter's home in the city of Ashkelon on Sunday afternoon. Among the protesters is former Shin Bet director Carmi Gillon. This morning, Dichter, who is a Likud member, said that he will vote in favor of the Netanyahu government's judicial coup legislation, despite having previously voiced his opposition to the legislation. Open gallery view Protesters outside Avi Dichter's home on Sunday Protesters have also gathered outside the home of Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel's home in Tel Aviv. The protesters have blocked a major road in northern Tel Aviv after breaking through police barricades in front of the minister's home. Additional protests are taking place outside the homes of senior Likud figures including Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Knesset Chairman Amir Ohana and Economy Minister Nir Barkat, Yuli Edelstein and Danny Danon. Open gallery view Pro-democracy protesters on Sunday Noa Shpigel Noa Shpigel 7:09 PM Netanyahu gov't announces vote on reshaping Judicial Appointments Committee on Monday The Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced it will bring the proposal to reshape the Judicial Appointment Committee to a vote on Monday. The government is racing to advance key parts of its judicial overhaul legislation this week, as the Knesset is set to recess ahead of Passover. The coalition is obscuring its full intentions for the week's discussions until the recess, and leaves the schedule for the remaining days vague. On Sunday, the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee convened to continue discussions on the amendment to the Basic Law on the Judiciary, which seeks to give the coalition control over the Judicial Appointments Committee, ahead of its second and third readings. The key Knesset committee met less than a day after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called to freeze the judicial overhaul legislation. Coalition leaders will reportedly try to approve the law before the holiday break. According to the new proposal, the committee will consists of 11 members instead of nine. It will include three Supreme Court judges, three ministers from three different coalition parties, three lawmakers from the coalition and two lawmakers from the opposition. A simple majority will be necessary for appointing the first two judges, which in practice means that the coalition will have the ultimate power over these appointments, since most of the representatives in the committee are in the coalition - and are required to vote in accordance with the coalition's line. However, while approving additional appointments will also require a simple majority of six committee members, Rothman's new bill offers that at least one of the six will need to be a member of the opposition and one will need to be a Supreme Court judge Yaniv Kubovich Yaniv Kubovich 5:59 PM Hundreds of Bereaved Israeli Families Ask Ministers to Skip Memorials if Judicial Overhaul Passes About 500 bereaved families on Sunday called on the government to stop the judicial overhaul, stating that if it failed to do so they did not want members of the coalition attending ceremonies at military cemeteries during Memorial Day next month. The call comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday asserted that any suspension of the overhaul legislation would not curb protests at Memorial Day ceremonies "because those who want to provoke on Memorial Day will do so." >>> Read the full article here <<< Chen Maanit Chen Maanit, Noa Shpigel 5:01 PM Israel's Deputy AG: Supreme Court will strike down law to reinstate Arye Dery Israel's deputy attorney general told the Knesset on Sunday, that the Supreme Court will strike down a law that would allow Shas leader and key Netanyahu ally Arye Dery to return to his ministerial posts. Israel's Supreme Court disqualified Dery over past corruption charges in January. The so-called Dery Law 2 is an amendment to the Basic Law on the government that charges that the court will no longer be able to intervene "on all matters connected with, or arising from, the appointment of a minister or removal from office." The exception is when a minister does not meet eligibility requirements expressly stated by law. The Knesset committee in charge of amending the Basic Law on The Government convened on Sunday to discuss amendments to the law, ahead of the second and third rounds of voting. The deputy AG, Gil Limon, told the committee that the proposed amendments do little to change the impression that, in the context of the Netanyahu government's judicial coup, the law smacks of being inappropriately tailor-made. Limon expressed his judgment that as a result of the Supreme Court's prior ruling, the parliament will be operating within a "normative black hole" which amounts to an inappropriate use of the legislative branch's power. Open gallery view Netanyahu and Shas leader Arye DeryCredit: Ronen Zvulun/AFP, Oren Ben Hakoon, Artwork by Anastasia Shub Ido Efrati Ido Efrati 2:56 PM Chair of Israeli Medical Association calls on Netanyahu to stop overhaul legislation Prof. Hagay Zion, chairman of the Israel Medical Association, said the country "has reached a red line," and called on Netanyahu to stop the judicial overhaul plan. Open gallery view Prof. Hagay ZionCredit: Eyal Toueg Chen Maanit Chen Maanit 2:11 PM Top judge: Netanyahu has a week to respond to petition accusing him of contempt of court Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must respond to a petition submitted by a good governance group within a week, Israel's Supreme Court President determined. In a letter published on Sunday, Supreme Court President Esther Hayut said Netanyahu has until April 2 to respond to a request by the Movement for Quality Government in Israel. In the request, the group asked the court to force Netanyahu to obey the law, after he allegedly violated a conflict of interest agreement meant to prevent him from dealing with the country's judiciary while he is on trial for corruption. The Associated Press The Associated Press 1:18 PM Israeli group asks court to punish Netanyahu over legal plan An Israeli good governance group on Sunday asked the country's Supreme Court to punish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for allegedly violating a conflict of interest agreement meant to prevent him from dealing with the country's judiciary while he is on trial for corruption. The request by the Movement for Quality Government in Israel intensifies a brewing showdown between Netanyahu's government and the judiciary, which it is trying to overhaul in a contentious plan that has sparked widespread opposition. The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, a fierce opponent of the overhaul, asked the court to force Netanyahu to obey the law and sanction him either with a fine or prison time for not doing so, saying he was not above the law. "A prime minister who doesn't obey the court and the provisions of the law is privileged and an anarchist," said Eliad Shraga, the head of the group, echoing language used by Netanyahu and his allies against protesting opponents of the overhaul. "The prime minister will be forced to bow his head before the law and comply with the provisions of the law." Netanyahu is barred by the country's attorney general from dealing with his government's plan to overhaul the judiciary, based on a conflict of interest agreement he is bound to, and which the Supreme Court acknowledged in a ruling over Netanyahu's fitness to serve while on trial for corruption. But on Thursday, after parliament passed a law making it harder to remove a sitting prime minister, Netanyahu said he was unshackled by the attorney general's decision and vowed to wade into the crisis and "mend the rift" in the nation. That declaration prompted the attorney general, Gali Baharav-Miara, to warn that Netanyahu was breaking his conflict of interest agreement by entering the fray. The fast-paced legal and political developments have catapulted Israel into uncharted territory and to a burgeoning constitutional crisis, said Guy Lurie, a research fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem think tank. "We are at the start of a constitutional crisis in the sense that there is a disagreement over the source of authority and legitimacy of different governing bodies," he said. If Netanyahu continues to intervene in the overhaul as he promised, Baharav-Miara could launch an investigation into whether he violated the conflict of interest agreement, which could lead to additional charges against him, Lurie said. He added that the uncertainty of the events made him unsure of how they were likely to unfold. It is also unclear how the court, which is at the center of the divide surrounding the overhaul, will treat the request to sanction Netanyahu. Netanyahu is on trial for charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate affairs involving wealthy associates and powerful media moguls. He denies wrongdoing and dismisses critics who say he will try to seek an escape route from the charges through the legal overhaul. The overhaul will give the government control over who becomes a judge and limit judicial review over government decisions and legislation. Netanyahu and his allies say the plan will restore a balance between the judicial and executive branches and rein in what they see as an interventionist court with liberal sympathies. Critics say the plan upends Israel's fragile system of checks and balances and pushes Israel down a path toward autocracy. The government has pledged to pass a key part of the overhaul this week before parliament takes a month recess, but pressure has been building on Netanyahu to suspend the plan. Yaniv Kubovich Yaniv Kubovich 1:15 PM Pro-democracy demonstrators set to protest outside Dichter's house Pro-democracy demonstrators are planning to protest on Sunday outside of the house of Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, following his announcement that he intends to vote for the judicial overhaul legislation. Michael Hauser Tov Michael Hauser Tov 12:30 PM Avi Dichter announces he's 'coordinated' with Netanyahu, will vote for bills Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter announced Sunday he will vote for the bill changing the way judges are appointed. "I'm fully coordinated with [Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu and [Justice Minister Yariv] Levin," he said. Amir Tibon Amir Tibon 12:27 PM Senior Likud members hint at opposing judicial overhaul after defense minister calls for halt All eyes in Israel are transfixed on a small group of Likud ministers and lawmakers who will decide if the Netanyahu government's judicial overhaul bills will pass with a majority in the Knesset this week. After defense minister and senior Likud member Yoav Gallant called to halt the legislative process on Saturday night, there has been growing pressure on these lawmakers to join his call, but it's still unclear if enough of them will eventually do so. On Sunday morning, Likud lawmaker Yuli Edelstein, who chairs the Knesset Security and Foreign Affairs Committee, told Army Radio that his absence from the first reading of the bill intended to give the government control over the judicial appointment's committee, was "not a coincidence." The legislation is a key component of the Netanyahu government's judicial overhaul. Edelstein, a former speaker of the Knesset, supported Gallant's call to halt the process, and hinted that if the bill goes up for a vote this week, he will not support it. Edelstein, who was absent from three votes on additional judicial overhaul bills, was penalized by coalition whip Ofir Katz, who informed him that he will no longer be able to submit private bills, submit a call to order, or speak on behalf of the Likud for three weeks. Without Gallant and Edelstein, the coalition is left with 62 supporters - still enough to pass the legislation. On Saturday night, three other Likud members expressed support for Gallant's call to freeze judicial overhaul legislation: Minister of Agriculture Avi Dichter, and lawmakers David Bitan and Eli Dalal. Bitan and Dalal have yet to go as far as saying or even hinting how they will vote, but on Sunday Dichter announced that he would vote for the judicial overhauls bills. Netanyahu's son Yair, who is his closest political adviser, shared dozens of tweets criticizing Gallant on Saturday night, some of them calling to fire the defense minister and replace him with another politician. One option being considered by the prime minister, according to a report on Channel 13, is to fire Gallant in case he votes against the legislation, and give the defense portfolio to Dichter, a former head of Israel's Shin Bet, in return for a 'yes' vote from him. Protesters on Sunday also showed up outside the home of Dani Danon, Israel's former ambassador to the UN and another rare Likud critic of the judicial overhaul. Danon has said in several interviews that he supports the need to reform the justice system, but thinks the government made mistakes in how it presented and promoted its plan over the last three months. As with other lawmakers, however, this is far from an indication that he would be willing to vote against the party line, at least at the moment. Amos Harel Amos Harel 10:37 AM Gallant's appeal to freeze judicial coup may be Netanyahu's wake-up call The massive pressure Benjamin Netanyahu put on Yoav Gallant only worked for 48 hours. The defense minister - who had intended to call for a halt in the legislation associated with the judicial overhaul on Thursday evening - yielded to Netanyahu's demand and postponed his speech. But on Saturday night, while Netanyahu was preparing to return from London and masses of protesters took to the streets in Israel, Gallant finally said what he wanted to say. At the onset of the week in which Netanyahu was planning to bring the core of the legislative drive to a vote in the Knesset, Gallant's declaration has taken over the political agenda. It may have completely reshuffled the deck. Evident words of truth were spoken. In his focused and direct declaration, Gallant raised three key arguments: the security situation Israel finds itself in is particularly tough and dangerous; the political dispute has percolated into the IDF - already endangering its performance; such extensive changes in the judicial system must be made with a wide consensus. He called to freeze the overhaul bills until after the holidays, as well as for a pause in the demonstrations, using the hiatus for negotiations between the sides in an attempt to reach consensual legislation. >>>Read the full article here<<< Load More Click the alert icon to follow topics: * Benjamin Netanyahu * Yoav Gallant Comments In the News Israeli singer Shlomo Artzi. Shlomo Artzi Declines Israel Prize, Citing National 'Schism' Asaf Zamir. Israel's Consul General in New York Resigns Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves Downing Street after meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in London, Friday. Netanyahu Is Now Pyromaniac-in-chief of a Government of Arsonists Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter earlier this month. 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The Darius Artifact: How Did We Get From Discovery of the Decade to Disgrace? Protests on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv on Saturday. Israel's Long-awaited Secular Uprising Is Finally Here haaretz * Facebook * Twitter * Android * Apple * Email * RSS * Subscribe * Newsletters * Terms * Contact Us * My Cookies * Advertise Download App(c) Haaretz Daily Newspaper Ltd. 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