Israel news - latest: Protest leader vows action will continue after Netanyahu delays judicial reforms
A protest leader has vowed that action will continue because the overhaul vote would only be delayed.
“As long as the legislation continues and is not shelved, we will be on the streets,” said Dr. Shikma Bressler, one of the main leaders of the protest movement.
Dr Bressler said Netanyahu and his coalition colleagues are clearly determined to press ahead with their “dictatorship laws” in the next Knesset session, a month from now, Times of Israel reported.
“The statements of the prime minister and his extremist partners are an admission of their intention to bring the dictatorship laws back to the table in the next parliamentary session, harming the economy and the security of the country,” she said.
It comes after Israel’s main labour union called off a nationwide strike after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would delay his judicial overhaul plan to the next parliamentary session.
Addressing the nation after a day of demonstrations, Mr Netanyahu said: “I’m not ready to divide the nation in pieces.
“We are facing a crisis that is a real threat for the national unity of our people.”
Key Points
Israeli PM agrees to delay judicial overhaul until next parliament session
Thousands take to the streets in Israel after Netanyahu sacks defence minister
Why are there protests in Israel?
Protests set to continue despite delay to judicial overhaul
Protests set to continue despite delay to judicial overhaul
20:38 , Martha Mchardy
Some protest leaders say the protests are set to continue because the overhaul vote would only be delayed.
“As long as the legislation continues and is not shelved, we will be on the streets,” said Dr. Shikma Bressler, one of the main leaders of the protest movement.
Dr Bressler said Netanyahu and his coalition colleagues are clearly determined to press ahead with their “dictatorship laws” in the next Knesset session, a month from now, Times of Israel reported.
“The statements of the prime minister and his extremist partners are an admission of their intention to bring the dictatorship laws back to the table in the next parliamentary session, harming the economy and the security of the country,” she said.
White House welcomes Netanyahu delay in judicial overhaul and urges compromise
20:08 , Martha Mchardy
The United States has welcomed the decision by by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay a decision on divisive plans for a judicial overhaul until next month, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said.
Netanyahu on Monday delayed a decision on bitterly contested plans for a judicial overhaul until next month amid fears that the country’s worst national crisis in years could fracture his coalition or escalate into violence.
“We welcome this announcement as an opportunity to create additional time and space for compromise. A compromise is precisely what we have been calling for. And we continue to strongly urge Israeli leaders to find a compromise as soon as possible,” Jean-Pierre said.
The United States remains concerned about the situation in Israel and President Joe Biden has shared his concerns about a proposed judicial overhaul directly with Netanyahu, the White House said on Monday.
“We remain concerned by the recent developments,” White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters, calling for compromise.
Kirby noted that Israel had been invited to a U.S.-organized Summit for Democracy later this week.
Kirby said Biden has been “very forthright” with Netanyahu about his concerns. Asked if Biden was worried that Israel would devolve into civil war, Kirby said he was not.
He said U.S. concerns about the judicial reform legislation were that it would “fly in the face” of the principle of having checks and balances in government.
“All of that concern comes from ... a place of respect and friendship and admiration for the Israeli people, for Israel as a country and for Israel’s democracy,” Kirby said.
In pictures: Israel protests
20:00 , Martha Mchardy
Watch: Benjamin Netanyahu defends 'democratic' new judiciary reform
19:40 , Martha Mchardy
Why are there protests in Israel?
19:20 , Martha Mchardy
Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Israel evening to protest against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial reforms to the country’s judicial system.
Chanting “the country is on fire”, demonstrators gathered outside Mr Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem on Sunday evening to demand the draft legislation be withdrawn, only to be dispersed by police water cannons. Bonfires were meanwhile lit along Tel Aviv’s biggest motorway, forcing road closures and causing traffic mayhem.
On Monday, the protests continued, while Israel’s largest union, Histadrut, which represents 700,000 workers across a huge variety of professions, called for an immediate general strike. Universities have closed their doors “until further notice” and flights from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport have been grounded, as pressure grows to halt the legislation.
Joe Sommerlad reports:
Why are there protests in Israel?
Is it safe to travel to Israel?
19:00 , Martha Mchardy
At the time of writing, all flights leaving Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion Airport, Israel’s primary aviation hub, have been suspended until further notice due to widespread strikes announced by the Worker’s Union.
Flights that are already in the air will be the only ones permitted to land, it has been reported.
Despite this, passengers continued the check-in process without knowing if their flights would depart.
The live departures board shows flights scheduled to leave later in the day, but these are not expected to go ahead.
A spokesperson for the Worker’s Union said that if Mr Netanyahu stops the judicial reform legislation, flights will return to normal, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Read more here:
Is it safe to travel to Israel? Latest travel news
UK welcomes Netanyahu's decision to pause judicial overhaul
18:57 , Martha Mchardy
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly welcomed Israel’s decision to pause legislation to reform its judiciary, as he emphasised the importance of “a robust system of checks and balances.”
“The UK welcomes the decision today by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pause legislation to reform Israel’s judiciary,” Cleverly said in a statement after Netanyahu delayed the decision until next month amid widespread protests.
“It is vital that the shared democratic values that underpin that (UK-Israel) relationship are upheld, and a robust system of checks and balances are preserved.”
Israeli labour union calls off nationwide strike after judicial overhaul delayed
18:44 , Martha Mchardy
Israel’s main labour union called off a nationwide strike after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would delay his judicial overhaul plan to the next parliamentary session.
“The strike that I announced this morning will end,” said Arnon Bar-David, chairman of the Histadrut labour federation, on Monday, praising Netanyahu for the move and offering help in forming a reform with mutual agreement.
Benjamin Netanyahu decries ‘extremist minority ready to divide our nation'
18:42 , Martha Mchardy
Israeli PM Netanyahu decried what he called an “extremist minority ready to divide our nation,” in an address to the nation today.
Mr Netanyahu said he is “not ready to divide the nation in pieces” amid mass protests over a planned judicial overhaul.
Israeli PM Netanyahu says delaying judicial overhaul to reach broad consensus
18:33 , Martha Mchardy
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday he would delay his flagship judicial reform to the next parliamentary session.
“From a will to prevent the rift in the nation, I have decided to delay the second and third reading in order to reach a broad consensus,” he said in a prime time televised address delivered after some of the biggest street protests in the country’s history.
Israeli PM Netanyahu: ‘I will turn over every stone to find a solution'
18:24 , Martha Mchardy
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he will “turn over every stone to find a solution” to the protests over a planned judicial overhaul, in an address to the nation.
Mr Netanyahu is addressing the nation after a day of protests.
Israeli PM Netanyahu: ‘We are at a dangerous cross roads’
18:22 , Martha Mchardy
The country is at a “dangerous cross roads”, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address to the nation.
Mr Netanyahu is addressing the nation after a day of protests.
Government will delay the second and third readings of justice bill
18:20 , Martha Mchardy
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says his government will delay the second and third readings of the justice bill following a parliamentary session.
He adds that the delay comes from a will to reach a broad consensus.
Israeli PM Netanyahu: ‘I’m not ready to divide the nation in pieces’
18:18 , Martha Mchardy
“I’m not ready to divide the nation in pieces,” Israeli Benjamin PM Netanyahu said in an address to the nation.
Mr Netanyahu is addressing the nation after a day of protests.
Benjamin Netanyahu addresses nation
18:14 , Martha McHardy
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has started speaking.
Mr Netanyahu is addressing the nation after a day of protests.
White House’s Kirby says Biden has shared concerns with Netanyhu
17:45 , Martha Mchardy
United States president Joe Biden has shared his concerns about the situation in Israel directly with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid protests over a planned judicial overhaul, the White House said on Monday.
White House spokesman John Kirby said Mr Biden has been “very forthright” with Mr Netanyhu.
Right-Wing Israeli lawmaker says halting judicial overhaul plans would be a mistake
17:25 , Martha Mchardy
Right-Wing Israeli lawmaker Simcha Rothman told the Israeli Channel Seven pro-settler media channel that halting the government’s planned judicial overhaul would be a mistake, after a key coalition member said passing the legislation would be delayed to the Israeli parliament’s next session.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu due to make statement shortly
17:23 , Martha Mchardy
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to make a statement shortly, his office has said.
It comes amid a sprialling political crisis over plans to overhaul the judicial system that have caused street protests across the country.
Israel parliament approves 2023-2024 state budget in preliminary vote
17:02 , Martha Mchardy
Israel’s parliament has given initial approval to the state’s 2023-2024 budget on Monday in a key test of the governing coalition amid a battle over the government’s flagship judicial overhaul plans.
The cabinet last month had approved the budget draft that the Finance Ministry expects will be fully ratified by the end of May. The budget allocates spending of 484.8 billion shekels ($136 billion) this year and 513.7 billion next year.
The budget next heads to parliament’s finance committee, where it typically undergoes changes before final votes in the full plenum.
Lawmakers voted 62-52 in favour of the spending package, just after an announcement that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was delaying the discussions on his legal system overhaul.
Netanyahu sacked his defence minister on Sunday for opposing moving forward on the plan at the current time, setting off mass protests and rifts within his own Likud party and other coalition partners.
“We are bringing significant structural reforms that will accelerate economic growth, along with a significant budget investment, a response to security needs ... and wage requirements, while proportionately restraining spending,” said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich before the vote.
The ministry has set budget deficits of 0.9 per cent in 2023 and 0.8 per cent of gross domestic product in 2024, up from a 0.6 per cent surplus in 2022.
Israel’s economy is set to grow around 3% this year from a 6.4 per cent spurt in 2022, while inflation remains above a 5 per cent rate despite aggressive interest rate increases.
“The budget will allow the government to implement its policy, while maintaining fiscal responsibility that will help stabilize the economy and prevent the worsening of inflation,” Smotrich said.
“Approving the budget is a critical step - it conveys to the public, rating companies and investors that Israel is acting responsibly and will help ensure stability.”
Rating agencies have warned that the judicial reforms could pressure Israel’s sovereign credit ratings.
Judicial overhaul delayed for ‘at least several weeks,’ national security minister says
16:59 , Martha Mchardy
A powerful partner in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government says the country’s proposed judicial overhaul has been delayed for at least several weeks.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says he agreed to a delay in the legislation until parliament reconvenes for its summer session on April 30.
There was no immediate confirmation from Netanyahu.
In a statement, Ben-Gvir said the interim period would give time for a compromise agreement to be reached with the political opposition.
But he said if a deal is not reached, the package would be approved in the summer session.
Ben-Gvir has been a leading proponent of the overhaul, and his statement could pave the way for Netanyahu to announce a delay.
Israel’s Netanyahu ‘to delay’ controversial judicial reforms in wake of mass protests
16:50 , Martha Mchardy
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu will delay controversial reforms to the judicary in the wake of mass protests, according to the far-right Jewish Power party, a member of the ruling coalition goverment.
The party’s leader, the security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, said in a statement that he had agreed to delay the government’s overhaul of the judiciary in exchange for a promise it would be brought after the upcoming parliamentary recess.
“I agreed to remove the veto to reject the legislation in exchange for a commitment by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the legisltaion would be submitted to the Knesset for approval in the next session”.
Chris Stevenson reports:
Israel’s Netanyahu ‘to delay’ controversial judicial reforms in wake of mass protests
Israel's Ben-Gvir says agrees to delay judiciary reform package
16:45 , Martha Mchardy
The head of one of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-right coalition partners said on Monday he had agreed to delay the government’s overhaul of the judiciary in exchange for a promise it would be brought after the upcoming parliamentary recess.
“I agreed to remove the veto to reject the legislation in exchange for a commitment by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the legisltaion would be submitted to the Knesset for approval in the next session,” security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said in a statement.
‘This hour different to any before’, says Israeli army chief of staff
16:31 , Martha Mchardy
Israel’s army chief of staff called on soldiers on Monday to continue to do their duty and act with responsibility in the face of bitter social divisions over government plans to overhaul the judiciary.
“This hour is different to any that we have known before. We have not known such days of external threats coalescing, while a storm is brewing at home,” Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said in remarks made public by the military press office.
Israeli PM agrees to delay judicial overhaul until next parliament session
16:24 , Martha Mchardy
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will delay the process for discussions on the controversial planned judicial overhaul to next month, a statement from the far-right and coalition member party Jewish Power said on Monday.
The statement said the legislation would be pushed to the next session of the Israeli parliament in order to “pass the reform through dialogue,” the statement said.
Parliament will go on recess next week for the Passover holiday.
Tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrate outside parliament
16:08 , Joe Middleton
Tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated outside parliament in an effort to halt Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to overhaul the judiciary.
Demonstrators turned the streets surrounding the building and the Supreme Court into a roiling sea of blue-and-white Israeli flags dotted with rainbow Pride banners.
Large demonstrations in Tel Aviv, Haifa and other Israeli cities drew thousands more.
“This is the last chance to stop this move into a dictatorship,” said Matityahu Sperber, 68, who joined a stream of people headed to the protest outside the Knesset. “I’m here for the fight to the end.”
Pictured: Israelis against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu
16:01 , Joe Middleton
Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu defends 'democratic' new judiciary reform
15:08 , Joe Middleton
Why are there protests in Israel?
14:04 , Joe Middleton
Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Israel evening to protest against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial reforms to the country’s judicial system.
Chanting “the country is on fire”, demonstrators gathered outside Mr Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem on Sunday evening to demand the draft legislation be withdrawn, only to be dispersed by police water cannons. Bonfires were meanwhile lit along Tel Aviv’s biggest motorway, forcing road closures and causing traffic mayhem.
On Monday, the protests continued, while Israel’s largest union, Histadrut, which represents 700,000 workers across a huge variety of professions, called for an immediate general strike. Universities have closed their doors “until further notice” and flights from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport have been grounded, as pressure grows to halt the legislation.
Joe Sommerlad explains why protests have started in Israel.
Why are there protests in Israel?
Israeli embassies join strike action
13:45 , Joe Middleton
Israeli embassies worldwide were instructed to join a strike on Monday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul plan, a workers’ union letter seen by Reuters said.
The letter, citing a nationwide strike in Israel declared by the Histadrut labour federation, said Foreign Ministry activities in the country and abroad would be limited to emergency services
Israel protest: Flights suspended from Tel Aviv airport
13:15 , Joe Middleton
Mass protests in Israel after Netanyahu sacks defence minister
12:35 , Joe Middleton
Protestors have taken to the streets in Israel after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked his defence minister.
The country has faced weeks of mass protests over controversial plans to overhaul the judiciary.
Mr Netanyahu fired Yoav Gallant on Sunday (26 March) after the retired army general called for a halt to the reforms.
“The security of the state of Israel has always been and will always remain the mission of my life,” Mr Gallant said.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said the sacking is a new low for the government.
Mass protests in Israel after Netanyahu sacks defence minister
Israel‘s justice minister backs Netanyahu on judicial overhaul
11:56 , Joe Middleton
Israel‘s justice minister said he would respect any decision prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes about the future of a bitterly contested judicial overhaul, adding that lack of unity in the government could bring it down.
“A situation in which everyone does as they wish is liable to bring about the instant fall of the government and collapse of the (ruling party) Likud,” Yariv Levin said in a statement. “We must all strive to stabilise the government and coalition.”
Two main ports in Israel stop work
11:10 , Joe Middleton
Two main ports in Israel have announced that they had stopped work in adherence to a labour strike in protest at the religious-nationalist government’s judicial overhaul.
Haifa and Ashdod ports said in separate statements that work was halted after Israel‘s main labour union announced a general strike earlier on Monday until Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu stopped judicial legislation.
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 ally US says it is ‘deeply concerned’ by protests
09:57 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The developments were being watched in Washington, which is closely allied 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 underscore the urgent need for compromise.”“Democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship,” 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 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 take to the streets in Israel after Netanyahu sacks defence minister
09:47 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Israel after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked his defence minister and his counsel general in New York resigned.
The country has faced weeks of mass protest over controversial plans to overhaul the judiciary.
Mr Netanyahu fired his defence minister on Sunday after the former army general called for a halt to the divisive 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 take to the streets in Israel after Netanyahu sacks defence minister
Welcome
09:47 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
... to our liveblog where we will keep you updated with the latest on the protests in Israel.