Israel

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the military’s chief of staff on Sunday to contain a wave of protest from within the ranks over a contentious government plan to overhaul the judiciary.

18 Mar 2023; MEMO: Around 100 officers from a secret unit of the Israeli Air Force have threatened to stop military service if the government goes ahead with legislation limiting the power of the judiciary.

18 Mar 2023; MEMO: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has called on world leaders to boycott current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu due to pushing ahead with the judicial overhaul.

Israeli media reported that this rare call for international intervention in Israel's affairs came amidst protests from tens of thousands of Israelis against the planned judicial overhaul.

16 Mar 2023; MEMO: Reaching an abyss in Israel is "within touching distance," the President, Isaac Herzog, warned yesterday, referring to the recent protests that were ignited following a reform bill announcement by the far-right coalition.

16 Mar 2023; MEMO: Israel has reacted to European criticism by blocking the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, from making an official visit to the occupation state and the Palestinian Authority. "There's no reason to reward him [Borrell] for his conduct," said Israel in a fit of pique.

17 Mar 2023; MEMO: Thousands of Israelis, on Thursday, are expected to join the anti-government rallies across Israel, protesting government plans to inflict radical changes on Israel's judicial authority structure, Anadolu News Agency reports.

Thursday's rallies were held under the banner of "escalating resistance" with the main rally taking place in central Tel Aviv city.

17 Mar 2023; MEMO: Israeli Police Chief Yaakov Shabtai criticised National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, for interfering in police work.

"Ben-Gvir interferes in police work, and instructs our low-ranking officers to demolish several homes," Shabtai said in a statement he submitted to the Supreme Court.

Shabtai said that Ben-Gvir had contacted a number of senior police officers during Thursday's protests against the government's bill to change the judicial system.

JERUSALEM, Mar 16 (NNN-MA’AN) – Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, rejected yesterday, a mediating proposal suggested by President Issac Herzog, saying, his government will continue to push through the controversial and divisive judicial reform.

Herzog put forward his proposal last night, after weeks of talks with ministers from the coalition government, opposition lawmakers, and legal experts.

Warning that Israel is “on the verge of civil war,” Herzog said, his plan suggests a compromise that reflects the stance of wide sections of Israeli society.

JERUSALEM, March 16 (Reuters) - Jerusalem woke on Thursday to the sight of a long red line painted by protesters along roads leading to Israel's Supreme Court, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a compromise deal for his government's planned judicial overhaul.

Police said they had arrested five people who had disguised themselves as workers to carry out the protest action overnight.

15 Mar 2023; MEMO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday instructed his cabinet ministers not to hold meetings with US officials.

Israel's Channel 12 reported that "Netanyahu instructed all ministers to avoid meeting US government officials until he is invited to the White House by US President Joe Biden."