Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly suspending his judicial overhaul legislation after a night of mass protests and the announcement of a general strike across much of the country, multiple news outlets reported Monday.
Netanyahu, who has faced multiple criminal investigations, shocked Israel on Sunday when he fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who a day earlier called for the legislation’s suspension, saying the plan “created an internal rift that poses a clear and immediate threat for Israel’s national security.”
The move has put Israel’s economy at risk, facing instability and an unprecedented political and social crisis.
“In a rare move, the head of Israel’s workers’ union announced on Monday morning a general strike across the country until the legislation is suspended. Such a strike hasn’t taken place in decades. Many of Israel’s largest workers’ unions are controlled by people affiliated with Netanyahu’s Likud party,” Axios reported.
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The private sector as well as workers in all government ministries and municipal authorities joined the strike. McDonald’s even announced it was closing all of its locations in the country, according to the report.
Israel’s international airport was shut down and hospitals started dealing only with emergency cases.
Senior Likud party members are now pressing Netanyahu to reverse his decision to fire Gallant.
The Prime Minister is expected to address the nation on Monday, officials in his Likud party said.
