Netanyahu fires defence minister after he told him to stop judicial overhaul

Yoav Gallant was the first senior member of the ruling Likud party to speak out against Israeli PM’s plan

Benjamin Netanyahu has fired his defence minister, a day after he called on the Israeli leader to halt a planned judicial overhaul that has divided the country and sparked growing discontent within the military.

The move underscored Netanyahu’s determination to press on this week with the overhaul, which has sparked mass protests, angered military and business leaders and raised concerns among Israel’s allies. The defence minister, Yoav Gallant, was the first senior member of the ruling Likud party to speak out against the plan.