At the center of the political and social “boiling” is Israelon occasion judicial reform promoted by the government. Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu phoned Defense Minister Yoav Gallad today for an explanation as the Likud party has announced while the far right ruling party is accusing the minister of “abandoning” the government. All this for now mass popular mobilizations.

The Likud report does not provide any explanation as to the reason for the minister’s summons. However, this announcement followed Israeli media reports that Gallad would convene a press conference to put a hold on judicial reform, which sparked unprecedented protests in the country that even included members of the Israeli army.

Gallad, a member of Netanyahu’s party, has made no secret of his concern that many Israelis say they will not heed the call for a military reserve if reforms continue.

Critics believe that judicial reform threatens separation of powers and warns that Israel could turn into a dictatorship. The bill has caused concern both at home and abroad. Senior Treasury officials this week warned of the financial implications of the unrest caused by judicial reform.

The shekel, shaken by almost three months of unprecedented social anger over the coalition government’s attempt to limit the powers of the Supreme Court, rose 2.3 percent against the dollar after reports of Gallade’s call against reforms.

In the “shadow” of the above events, Netanyahu is expected to make a televised address at 20:00 today.

At the same time, thousands of Israelis today took to the streets en masse to protest the government’s reform of the judiciary, blocking roads across the country.

With flags and banners, they went out onto the central street of Tel Aviv, stopping traffic. A small group set fire to car tires on the road outside the port, briefly blocking the passage of trucks. Police forced protesters off the street in front of a convention center in central Israel.

Source: APE-MPE-Reuters-AFP.