Personal News
Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu sacked his defense minister on Sunday, March 26, the day after his call for a one-month pause in the controversial judicial reform process wanted by the government. “Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has decided to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Galant”the Prime Minister’s Office reported in a brief statement.
In a speech on Saturday evening, Mr. Galant, although from the same right-wing party as Mr. Netanyahu, the Likud, said he feared that continued divisions within the population on this issue would lead to a “real threat to Israel’s security”.
Demonstrations have followed each week since the presentation in January by the government of Binyamin Netanyahu, one of the most right-wing in the history of Israel, of a reform project which divides the country. Arousing concern in the country but also abroad, the reform aims to increase the power of elected officials over that of magistrates. According to its detractors, it jeopardizes the democratic character of the State of Israel.
Mr. Netanyahu and his far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies believe this reform project is necessary to restore a balanced balance of power between elected officials and the Supreme Court, which they consider politicized. “We must stop the legislative process” for a month, Mr. Galant said on Saturday evening, ahead of a crucial week that is expected to see more legislation and new mass protests. “I am attached to the values of Likud (…), but major changes at the national level must be made through consultation and dialogue”, he added. The Minister of Defense called at the same time for an end to the demonstrations.
