Israeli defence minister calls for halt to judicial overhaul

Israel’s defense minister became the first ally in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition to break ranks on Saturday as he called for an immediate halt to the far-right government’s contentious plan to overhaul the country’s judiciary. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the plan has stirred turmoil within Israel’s military and posed a threat to the country’s security.

Citing the need for dialogue with the opposition, Gallant asked Netanyahu’s coalition to wait until after Parliament reconvenes from its holiday break next month. The government’s plan to increase its control over the judiciary has triggered a national crisis and sparked the largest protest movement in Israeli history.