Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets across Israel after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired his defence minister.

 

Ednews reports citing BBC that Yoav Gallant had spoken out against controversial plans to overhaul the justice system.

 

In Jerusalem, police and soldiers used water cannon against demonstrators near Mr Netanyahu's house.

 

Early on Monday morning, Israel's President Isaac Herzog called on the government to halt the reforms.

 

"For the sake of the unity of the people of Israel, for the sake of responsibility, I call on you to stop the legislative process immediately," he said on Twitter, adding that "the eyes of all the people of Israel are on you".

 

The US also said it was deeply concerned about the developments and called for a compromise.

 

A week of disruption had already been planned over the new law.

 

The reforms include plans that would give the government full control over the committee which appoints judges.

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