KAN-Netanyahu Tells Coalition Heads Judicial Reforms To Be Paused

Israel's KAN broadcaster is reporting that PM Benjamin Netanyahu has informed the heads of the parties forming the governing coalition that he will be pausing the proposed judicial reforms. This comes in the face of huge public protests, rebellion from moderates within the coalition, and a general strike that is seeing airports, hospitals, and commerce shut down or reduce service.

• Given the size and intensity of the protests, notably in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu faces a potentially perilous few hours with no guarantee that a row back on the judicial reforms will be enough to quell the protests.
• On the other side of the coin, there is also the prospect of protests and demonstration from the supporters of hard-line Otzama-Yehudit party in gov't that are keen to see the measures go through.
• The fact that the anti-reform movement has brought in sections of society and the economy - such as the tech startup sector - into the political arena for the first time means that even with a postponement of the reforms there could be more long-lasting impacts on the relationship between business and gov't in the weeks and months ahead.
• See 0927BST, 0920BST, 0819BST, and 0809BST bullets for more detail.