Israel is witnessing widespread protests that included the closure of major roads and the breach of barriers around Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's home in occupied Jerusalem following his decision to dismiss the defense minister, and the army has stepped up the alert after "losing control inside Israel," according to Israel's Channel 12.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets on Sunday in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa after Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Galant after he recommended the government postpone its plan to overhaul the justice system, which has deeply divided Israelis.

Israel Army Radio said the police commissioner had directed increased reinforcements across Israel and was quoted as saying that police would arrest anyone involved in severe violence and vandalism.

The police commissioner also said the authorities allowed the democratic right to protest but would not allow public unrest and damage to government symbols.

The Israel Broadcasting Corporation reported that the army's inspector general would hold a meeting to discuss the security implications of Galant's dismissal.

Knesset deliberations cancelled

As the protests escalated and expanded, Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that the Law and Constitution Committee in the Knesset (Israeli parliament) canceled tonight's deliberations to vote on the judicial amendments.

Israel's Channel 12 also quoted Likud officials – Netanyahu's party – as saying that the prime minister may suspend passage of the law amending the judicial system.

But it seems that Netanyahu will be in another dilemma if he accedes to the protesters' demands, as the same Israeli channel reported that Justice Minister Yariv Levin threatens to resign if the prime minister decides to suspend the judicial amendments.

There have been repeated demonstrations in recent weeks against the plan to overhaul the justice system, but the protests have taken on new dimensions after Netanyahu's decision to dismiss the defense minister and his promise to what he described as rebels.

Israeli media said protesters broke through barricades around Netanyahu's Jerusalem home and police used water cannons to drive them away.

Police warn against "harming government symbols" (Reuters)

Meanwhile, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that officials and mayors announced that they would begin a hunger strike on Monday in front of Netanyahu's office.

Meanwhile, thousands of protesters headed to the Knesset in Jerusalem.

In Tel Aviv, huge crowds blocked the city's main highway and protesters set fire to the middle of the road, Reuters reported.

Israeli Army Radio quoted a protest leader as saying that road closures would continue until Netanyahu resigned.

For his part, the head of the Israeli labor union said that the union would announce a complete shutdown of the economy.

Meanwhile, politicians and former officials have expressed concern about the unrest of the situation in Israel.

"The most serious crisis since 67"

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Israel was in the biggest danger since the 1967 war.

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert also said that "a gang rules Israel, behaves in a crazy and destructive way and touches the foundations of coexistence."

Meanwhile, Israel's Channel 12 quoted members of the government coalition as saying they were deeply shocked and that the prime minister had made a "strategic mistake."


The spokesman for the US National Security Council expressed serious concern about developments in Israel and their repercussions on the military.

The spokesman stressed "the urgent need to reach a compromise in Israel."

Israel's Channel 13 quoted a senior Israeli official visiting the Pentagon as saying that US military circles were shocked by Galant's dismissal.

Israel's consul general in New York announced that he had submitted his resignation on Sunday in protest at the dismissal of the defense minister.

Consul Assaf Zamir said on Twitter: "I can no longer continue to represent this government."