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A reversal in the situation in Israel after weeks of violent protests against the judicial reform plan.

This morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a meeting of the coalition partners, where he announced that he was putting judicial reform on hold.

Meanwhile, the Israeli president called on the government to immediately stop the planned changes, saying to the prime minister that "the whole nation and the whole world is watching you".

Riots erupted in Israel overnight after thousands took to the streets in a protest sparked by the sacking of the defense minister over his opposition to reform.

The demonstrations have not stopped for three months now.

The first open disagreement with Netanyahu's controversial reform by a member of the government came from the defense minister: "I state openly and categorically that for the sake of Israel's security, for the sake of our sons and daughters, the legislative process must stop."

This statement cost Yoav Gallant his job.

His dismissal increased the anger of opponents of the reform.

Demonstrators blocked the main highway in Tel Aviv and lit a fire.

Police used water cannons to disperse them.

Similarly, law enforcement repelled protesters who broke through barricades near the prime minister's home in Jerusalem.

"This is our country, we want to live here, it may sound childish or naive, but we really love this place," said Noah Levanon, a student.

"Historical night, we hope tonight will end with a positive result in terms of reform. This is our goal - to completely stop the coup in the judicial system," commented journalist Yuval Kra.

The Israeli president called on the government to immediately stop the judicial reform plan

"We are here because a very dangerous man named Bibi Netanyahu is trying to concentrate all power in his hands," said lawyer Yotam Kleiman.

The biggest fear of the critics of the reform is that the balance in the democratic system will be disturbed.

The mayors of three Israeli municipalities have announced that they are starting a hunger strike in front of Benjamin Netanyahu's office

Benjamin Netanyahu was born on October 21, 1949 in Tel Aviv, Israel. He is an Israeli politician and in Jerusalem, reports BNT. 

Israel's consul in New York has announced that he is resigning in protest at the firing of the defense minister.

Benjamin Netanyahu

Israel

judicial reform