Israeli President Isaac Herzog called on the government on Monday to end the controversial judicial review, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired the defense minister for opposing the move, sparking massive street protests.

“For the sake of the unity of the people of Israel, for the sake of responsibility, I call on you to immediately stop the legislative process,” the Israeli head of state wrote on Twitter.

According to Israeli media reports, Mr. Netanyahu’s announcement is expected on Monday morning.

It was preceded by the dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Galand by the prime minister, in protest against whom Israel’s consul general in New York resigned on Sunday evening.

“I can no longer represent this government,” Asaf Zamir wrote on Twitter.

“I consider it my duty to ensure that Israel remains a beacon of democracy and freedom in the world,” Mr. Zamir said.

That evening, the White House also approached Mr. Netanyahu for a compromise in the face of the risk of further unrest in Israel.

“We are deeply concerned (…) by developments in Israel, which once again highlight the urgent need for compromise,” White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a press release issued by the US president.

“Democratic values ​​have always been and must remain the hallmark of US-Israeli relations,” he continued.

Source: Reuters, The Jerusalem Post.