Flights suspended from Tel Aviv as protesters say Israel is ‘on fire’
March 27, 2023
Tens of thousands of protestors burst onto streets across Israel in a rare show of defiance against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Chanting “the country is on fire”, they lit bonfires on Tel Aviv’s main motorway, closing the road and many others throughout the country for hours.
The country has faced weeks of mass protests over the PM’s controversial plans to overhaul the judiciary.
Mr Netanyahu fired his defense minister on Sunday after the former army general called for a halt to the divisional reforms, drawing concerns internationally, including from the United States.
In response, Israel’s largest trade union group launched a strike across a broad swath of sectors, with over 700,000 workers in health, transit and banking, among many other fields walking out.
Yoav Gallant, a senior member of Mr Netanyahu’s ruling party, called for the changes to be paused until after next month’s Independence Day holidays.
Israel’s ceremonial president Isaac Herzog urged Mr Netanyahu to immediately halt the overhaul, saying:
“The entire nation is rapt with deep worry. Our security, economy, society – all are under threat,” he said. “Wake up now!”
Key Points
Netanayhu government survives no-confidence vote in parliament
10:11 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist coalition government on Monday survived a no-confidence motion filed by the opposition in protest at its judicial overhaul plan.
The motion failed by a vote of 59-53, the Knesset speaker said.
Israel’s ally US says it is ‘deeply concerned’ by protests
09:57 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The developments were being watched in Washington, which is closely affiliated with Israel yet has been uneasy with Netanyahu and the far-right elements of his government.
National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the United States was “deeply concerned” by the developments in Israel, “which further underscores the urgent need for compromise.”“Democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the US-Israel relationships,” Watson said in a statement.
Opposition to Netanyahu plan mounts as unions launch strike
09:53 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Israel’s largest trade union group launched a strike across a broad swath of sectors Monday, joining a surging protest movement against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to overhaul the judiciary — a plan that is facing unprecedented opposition.
The strike by the Histadrut umbrella group, which represents more than 700,000 workers in health, transit and banking, among many other fields, could paralyze large parts of Israel’s economy, which is already on shaky ground, ratcheting up the pressure on Netanyahu to suspend the overhaul.
Departing flights out of the country’s main international airport were grounded in protest, affecting thousands of travelers. Other sectors were also falling in line, with local governments, which manage pre-schools and other essential services, as well as a main doctors union announcing they would walk out.
The growing resistance to the plan came hours after tens of thousands of people burst into the streets around the country in a spontaneous show of anger at Netanyahu’s decision to fire his defense minister after he called for a pause to the overhaul. Chanting “the country is on fire,” they lit bonfires on Tel Aviv’s main highway, closing the throughway and many others throughout the country for hours.
Breaking: Netanyahu tells coalitions heads he will pause judicial overhaul
09:51 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
breaking news:
Benjamin Netanyahu has told the coalition heads he will pause the judicial overhaul that has sparked the mass protests in Israel, according to the country’s broadcaster Kan.
Stay tuned for live updates.
Thousands took to the streets in Israel after Netanyahu sacked the defense minister
09:47 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Israel after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked his defense minister and his general counsel in New York resigned.
The country has faced weeks of mass protests over controversial plans to overhaul the judiciary.
Mr Netanyahu fired his defense minister on Sunday after the former army general called for a halt to the divisional reforms, drawing concerns internationally, including from the United States.
Yoav Gallant, a senior member of Mr Netanyahu’s ruling party, called for the changes to be paused until after next month’s Independence Day holidays.
Thousands took to the streets in Israel after Netanyahu sacked the defense minister
welcome
09:47 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
… to our liveblog where we will keep you updated with the latest on the protests in Israel.
Originally published