Israel: Huge anti-PM rally at Knesset, Embassies go on strike

Israel's embassy in India,US and some other countries are participating in a strike called by its biggest labour union in protest against the hard-right government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial push to overhaul the justice system."The Histadrut, Israel's largest labour union, instructed all government employees to go on strike, including Israel's diplomatic missions around the world. The embassy of Israel will be closed today until further notice and no consular services will be provided," Israel's embassy in India said in a statement on Tuesday evening. 

The Embassy of #Israel in the U.S. closed in protest of judicial reform. pic.twitter.com/OfPew0wkDO

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 27, 2023

Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai arrives for a tour near the Knesset.Hebrew media estimates that there are now over 100,000 people attending the anti-overhaul rally.

UPDATE: #Israel in last few hrs

• Defense Min. Gallant fired
• Consul General in NY resigns
• Protests across Israel,> 500,000
• Roads blocked; Clashes w Police
• Universities cancel classes
• Netanyahu meeting head of Intel
• May pause Judicial Overhaul
• Knesset awaits pic.twitter.com/0V0bUU6tYV

— Alice Williams (@williams95alice) UPDATE: #Israel in last few hrs

• Defense Min. Gallant fired
• Consul General in NY resigns
• Protests across Israel,> 500,000
• Roads blocked; Clashes w Police
• Universities cancel classes
• Netanyahu meeting head of Intel
• May pause Judicial Overhaul
• Knesset awaits pic.twitter.com/0V0bUU6tYV— Alice Williams (@williams95alice) March 27, 2023

Israel's top trade union chief on Tuesday called a general strike over the package, which would weaken the powers of the judiciary and which demonstrators have for months decried as a threat to Israel's democracy.The Israel Medical Association quickly followed suit, announcing "a full strike in the health system" that will impact all public hospitals.The stoppage also affected flights at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Liza Dvir, a spokeswoman for the Israel Airports Authority said.