In a reversal of his earlier decision to fire Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that he had decided to keep

him in place due to the escalating security crisis. Netanyahu stated that he and Gallant had resolved their disagreement over Gallant's public call last month to put a stop to the government's contentious judicial overhaul plan, which Gallant believed was posing a threat to Israel's security.

This decision came after Netanyahu's initial announcement last week that he would remove Gallant from his position due to his comments on the judicial reform plan. The proposal aims to give more power to politicians in appointing judges, which critics argue could lead to political influence in the judicial system and a weakening of democratic principles.

Gallant, a former general and member of Netanyahu's Likud party, had openly criticized the plan, stating that it could harm Israel's international standing and security. Netanyahu had initially reacted by firing Gallant, but with the security crisis escalating, he reconsidered his decision.

Netanyahu's move to keep Gallant in his position is seen as an effort to maintain stability in the government amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza and tensions in Jerusalem. The Prime Minister has been facing pressure from the opposition to form a government of national unity to deal with the crisis, but has so far been unable to do so.

The judicial reform plan has been a contentious issue in Israeli politics, with critics arguing that it poses a threat to the country's democratic principles. The proposal was initially introduced by Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who argued that it would increase transparency in the judicial system and reduce the influence of the Supreme Court.

However, the plan has faced opposition from both the political left and right, with critics arguing that it would weaken the independence of the judiciary and lead to political interference. The controversy surrounding the proposal has also been heightened by Netanyahu's ongoing corruption trial, which has led to accusations that the Prime Minister is seeking to weaken the judicial system to benefit his own case.

With the security crisis in Israel showing no signs of abating, Netanyahu's decision to keep Gallant in his position is likely to be seen as a pragmatic move to maintain stability in the government. However, the controversy over the judicial reform plan is likely to continue to be a source of tension in Israeli politics, with critics continuing to voice their opposition to the proposal. Photo by Adi Cohen Zedek (עדי כהן צדק), Wikimedia commons.