Flights grounded at main airport in Tel Aviv

World

Published: 2023-03-27 11:29

Last Updated: 2023-06-05 14:48


Flights grounded at main airport in Tel Aviv
Flights grounded at main airport in Tel Aviv

The Israeli Occupation Airports Authority announced Monday that flights from Ben-Gurion airport in Tel Aviv have been suspended following the protests.

Earlier Monday, Israeli Occupation President Isaac Herzog called for an immediate halt to the government's controversial judicial reforms, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked his defense minister for similar demands.

Herzog, who holds a largely ceremonial post, made the call following spontaneous demonstrations in Tel Aviv overnight in response to the minister's dismissal.


Also Read: Israeli Occupation president says judicial reform must stop 'immediately'


"For the sake of the unity of the people of Israel, for the sake of the necessary responsibility, I call on you to halt the legislative process immediately," Herzog said in a statement.

The plan to hand more control to politicians and diminish the role of the Supreme Court has ignited months of protests and been questioned by Israeli Occupation's top allies including the United States, which expressed concern Sunday.

Netanyahu's hard-right government argues the changes are needed to rebalance powers between lawmakers and the judiciary.

Yoav Gallant, the former defense minister and a staunch ally of Netanyahu, earlier broke ranks and called for a halt to the reforms -- with lawmakers scheduled to vote this week on a central part of the proposals, which would change the way judges are appointed.

"The growing social rift has made its way into the (army) and security agencies," said Gallant, a member of Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party. "It is a clear, immediate, and tangible threat to Israel's security.

"I am committed to Likud values... and placing the State of Israel above all... but major changes on the national level must be made through deliberations and dialogue," he added, calling for a halt to the protests.