TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired his defense minister 24 hours after the aide made a dramatic speech saying a contentious plan to reduce the power of the Supreme Court is a threat to national security and should be halted.
A statement from the prime minister’s office late on Sunday said he had dismissed Yoav Gallant, a move that had been rumored after Gallant defied the premier by taking to the airwaves and calling for a long pause to the legislation and a dialogue on a way forward.
Immediately after the dismissal, protesters apparently numbering in the thousands gathered near the defense ministry in Tel Aviv to demonstrate in support of Gallant and against Netanyahu. They spilled out into the road waving Israeli flags and blocking traffic.
