Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces two bitter choices: either he goes ahead with judicial reforms or temporarily freezes them, but each choice has its consequences.
At dawn on Monday, Israeli media reported that Netanyahu was inclined to accept a freeze on judicial legislation, but at the same time wanted to keep his government from collapsing.
Netanyahu has found support from senior leaders of his right-wing Likud party and his right-wing Shas party to freeze legislation that has sparked angry reactions on the Israeli street for more than 12 weeks.
But he also finds opposition to freezing the powerful figure in his party, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, as well as from the far-right Jewish Power party headed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The Israeli public was further angered by Netanyahu's decision to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Galant after he called for legislation to be suspended.
On Sunday evening and dawn on Monday, hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets to protest against Netanyahu.
Discussions and positions
"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in discussions about the possibility of suspending the judicial reform law, following the wave of nationwide protests that erupted after he sacked Defense Minister Yoav Galant, who called on him to stop the legislative process," the Israeli newspaper Haaretz said at dawn on Monday.
While noting that the right-wing religious Shas party supported the suspension of legislation, it reported that the right-wing religious "United Torah Judaism" had expressed support for the prime minister and his decisions.
"Leaders of the (ruling) coalition parties are expected to meet on Monday morning to discuss the issue," the newspaper added.
In a remarkable move, a number of leaders of Netanyahu's Likud party announced their support for any decision he makes to freeze legislation.
Economy Minister Nir Barkat said in a tweet: "The State of Israel is above all, a united Israel above all, I will support the prime minister in the decision to stop and recalculate the course, reform is necessary and we will do it, but not at the cost of a war between brothers."
Culture and Youth Minister Miki Zohar said in a tweet that "reform of the judicial system is necessary and vital, but when a house burns down don't ask who's right, you pour water and save its occupants."
"If the prime minister decides to stop the legislation in order to prevent the rift that has arisen in the nation, we must support his position," Zohar added.
Haaretz reported that other politicians, including the ministers of education and strategic affairs, expressed a similar position.
New Map
Expatriate Affairs Minister Amichai Shegaly tweeted: "You have to admit frankly that we have lost direction."
"I suggest that we respond to Benny Gantz's proposal (for dialogue), which seems to come from a pure and well-intentioned place, draw a new roadmap for the resumption of the legislative process, present it to the public, and set the rules of the game ahead of time," he said.
While Justice Minister Yariv Levin is still sticking to moving forward with the legislation, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz on Monday quoted Likud leaders calling on him to resign.
Israel's Channel 12 news noted, however, that Netanyahu hopes Levin will back down from his position, but at the same time remain in the government.
Pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to block legislation that would limit the power of the judiciary, especially Israel's Supreme Court.
Israeli media reported that the head of the Histadrut Workers' Union, Arnon Ben-David, announced that he would hold a news conference after Prime Minister Netanyahu sacked Defense Minister Yoav Galant.
"Ben-David, who was seen protesting the anti-judicial coup in central Tel Aviv, is expected to call for a general strike on Monday," the Israeli newspaper Haaretz said Sunday evening.
Universities strike
On Sunday, Israeli universities announced an indefinite strike, including the suspension of all classes and research to protest the Netanyahu government's judicial coup.
"The decision came after a meeting between the vice-presidents of all research institutions of higher education in Israel, and all universities will join the strike except Ariel University in the West Bank, which has not yet announced its decision."
Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper on Monday quoted senior government officials as saying there was a high chance the legislation would be delayed.
Difficult decisions
Netanyahu wants the protests against his government to stop, which he wants to stay, which may force him to make difficult decisions in the next few hours and days: if the decision to freeze is taken, he may be seen as having succumbed to the powerful opposition-led protests unprecedented in Israel's history, and if he goes ahead with legislation, he may be seen as the person who caused an unprecedented split among Israelis.
For nearly 12 weeks, tens of thousands of Israelis have demonstrated daily against the Netanyahu government's planned judicial reform plan.
The plan includes amendments limiting the powers of the Supreme Court (the highest judicial authority) and giving the government control over the appointment of judges.