Thousands of Israelis rallied outside parliament in Jerusalem on Monday, where demonstrator Keren Mimran said “everyone should strike today”.
“We are calling on the government to stop this mad reform,” the 57-year-old high-tech worker told AFP.
Trevor Galor, who owns a tourism firm, said he “can’t believe what’s going on in Israel”.
“This reform … is completely crazy, and Israel has become a very dangerous place to be in at the moment,” said Galor, 52, holding an Israeli flag.
“ILLEGAL” INTERVENTION
Gallant, a former general, was appointed in December as part of Netanyahu’s coalition with extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox allies.
Yuli Edelstein, a Likud lawmaker who chairs the parliamentary committee for foreign affairs and defence, said “given the security situation, it’s not the moment to change the minister of defence”.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid on Monday renewed his support for Israelis “who are standing up to the insanity of the coalition”.
Lawmakers are scheduled to vote this week on a central part of the proposals, which would change the way judges are appointed.
A parliamentary committee has amended the draft law to make it more acceptable to opponents, but the opposition has ruled out backing any part of the reform package until all legislative steps are halted.
Netanyahu last week vowed to “responsibly advance” the reforms and “end the rift” they have caused.
In response, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara on Friday accused Netanyahu of “illegal” public intervention on the process of adopting the judicial reforms.
The premier is on trial over charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, which he denies.
