Israeli President urges Netanyahu to halt legal overhaul

Israel’s ceremonial President urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately halt a contentious overhaul of the judiciary. Isaac Herzog’s plea comes hours after tens of thousands of people burst into the streets around the country in a spontaneous show of anger at Mr. Netanyahu’s decision to fire his Defence Minister.

Israel’s ceremonial President on March 27 urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately halt a contentious overhaul of the judiciary.

Isaac Herzog’s plea comes hours after tens of thousands of people burst into the streets around the country in a spontaneous show of anger at Mr. Netanyahu’s decision to fire his Defence Minister after he called for a pause to the overhaul.

Mr. Herzog called on the government to put aside political considerations for the sake of the nation.

“The entire nation is rapt with deep worry. Our security, economy, society — all are under threat," he said. “Wake up now!”

The overhaul has sparked one of Israel’s gravest domestic crises, drawing widespread opposition from business leaders, legal officials and even the country’s military.

An uneasy calm returned to the country's streets after a raucous night of protests where tens of thousands of demonstrators lit bonfires on Tel Aviv's main highway, blocking that major throughway as well as others throughout the country.

Mr. Netanyahu’s dismissal of Defence Minister Yoav Gallant appeared to signal that the Prime Minister and his allies will barrel ahead this week with the overhaul plan. Mr. Gallant had been the first senior member of the ruling Likud party to speak out against it, saying the deep divisions were threatening to weaken the military.