Israelis stage emergency protests after Yoav Gallant’s firing

Israelis are set to swarm Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Modi’in Sunday night following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

This follows Gallant’s Saturday night speech where he urged for a halt to the judicial reform legislation, which he said was causing severe divisions within Israeli society and in Israel’s security sector.

The protesters in Tel Aviv gathered outside the Kiriya on Kaplan Street, where they blocked the Kaplan junction and disrupted traffic, though some drivers expressed their support, Ynet reported.

Jerusalem protesters are set to gather on Azza Street, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence is located. The Modi’in protesters are set to gather at the Shilat junction.

Earlier Sunday, parts of the Ayalon highway were blocked by protesters demonstrating against Israeli judicial reform, Israeli media outlets reported.

Brothers in Arms reservists protest near National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s home in Kiryat Arba. (credit: BROTHERS IN ARMS)

Meanwhile, reservists from Brothers in Arms protested near National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s home in Kiryat Arba on Sunday morning.

The protestors put up giant signs reading “stop! Border ahead, entry to a dictatorship” and “it’s too big for you” with a drawing of Ben-Gvir inside a military boot.

The protesters also blocked the road at the entrance to Kiryat Arba.

Two protesters were arrested after police said they tried to break into Ben-Gvir’s house.

Where else are protests planned?

Protesters also gathered outside the home of Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Avi Dichter, Tourism Minister Haim Katz, Diaspora Affairs and Combatting Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli and Likud MK Danny Danon.

Around 2,000 protesters also gathered outside MK Gila Gamliel’s home.

Israelis protest against Israeli government’s planned judicial overhaul, outside the house of Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, in Ashkelon, March 26, 2023 (credit: FLASH90)

Dozens of protesters were also gathered outside Economy Minister Nir Barkat’s home in Jerusalem, one of whom was arrested after police declared the protest illegal, N12 reported.
“The prime minister and Nir Barkat are choosing to ignore the warnings of the security system and economists.”

Protest organizers

“The prime minister and Nir Barkat are choosing to ignore the warnings of the security system and economists,” said the protest organizers.

“They are advancing legislation that will break up the army and the Israeli economy. They prove that they don’t care about the State of Israel, its security or the economy. Barkat and [Benjamin] Netanyahu, and all the MKs, if you don’t stop, you will be remembered to history as those who tried to destroy Israel, the IDF and the Zionist project.”

Around 300 protesters gathered near the home of MK Yuli Edelstein in Herzliya Pituah. The protesters said they came to “help Edelstein make the right decision” after the MK voiced support for Gallant’s call to stop the legislation, Ynet reported.

Other protesters gathered near the home of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, some of whom held a sign that read “Everything you have is thanks to the High Court of Justice.”