Israeli and American responses continued after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday the postponement of the judicial amendments plan until next month, and the chief of staff described the crisis provoked by these amendments as different from any period Israel has seen before.
While trade unions in Israel announced the suspension of strikes they had begun to protest the judicial amendments, protest organizers said they intended to continue demonstrating until the amendments were completely repealed.
The head of the Israeli General Workers' Union (Histadrut) announced the suspension of the strike at economic facilities, the doctors' union announced the cancellation of the general strike at health facilities, and the Ben Gurion Airport Workers' Committee said it had canceled the strike at the airport.
Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that stopping legislation to amend the judicial system was the right decision, and that it was time to start a serious dialogue to reduce tensions.
Israel's dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant welcomed the decision to suspend legislation in favor of negotiations.
The decision to fire Gallant on Sunday fueled weeks of protests and increased pressure on Netanyahu, after the minister called on the government to freeze judicial amendments that have caused great division among Israelis.
Opposition demands
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid announced his readiness for dialogue according to a specific direction, and to seek "the completion of a constitution for Israel on the basis of the Declaration of Independence," as he put it.
Lapid warned that if Netanyahu "tries to deceive" he will once again find himself in front of hundreds of thousands of protesters.
Commenting on Netanyahu's speech, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said he supported the prime minister and his "leadership" decision to freeze the judicial amendments, adding that the government would not allow civil war to break out.
Netanyahu said in his televised address on Monday that "out of a desire to prevent discord in the nation, I have decided to postpone the second and third readings in order to reach a broad consensus," calling the decision "an opportunity to avoid civil war."
It was postponed until the next parliamentary session, which will be held next month after a recess.
"Israeli society is on a dangerous collision course. We are in the midst of a crisis that threatens our basic unity."
During his speech, large crowds of Israelis gathered in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, including a large demonstration organized by right-wing supporters of the judicial amendments.
Meanwhile, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy called on soldiers to continue to do their duty and act responsibly in the face of bitter social divisions.
Halevy said – in remarks published by the military media office – that this period is different from any period that Israel has witnessed before.
He added that Israel had not seen such days "full of external threats at a time when a storm is forming at home," according to the statement.
White House welcomes
On the other hand, the United States welcomed Netanyahu's announcement to suspend legislation on judicial amendments.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said delaying the amendments would provide an opportunity for a settlement to pull Israel out of the crisis. She said allegations of Washington's funding of the protests were "false and baseless."
"The compromise is exactly what we have been demanding, and we continue strongly to urge Israeli leaders to find this settlement as soon as possible, and we believe it is the best way forward for Israel and its citizens," Jean-Pierre said.
Nearly three months after the formation of the government in Israel, Netanyahu's coalition of nationalist and religious parties has been locked in a stalemate due to deep divisions over the judicial amendment plan.
The plan includes amendments limiting the powers of the Supreme Court (the highest judicial authority) and giving the Government the power to appoint judges.