Israel: mass protests after sacking of minister who opposed judicial overhaul

Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to protest after Benjamin Netanyahu fired his defence minister over his opposition to a planned judicial overhaul.

Yoav Gallant had called on the prime minister to scrap the proposals which have divided the country, led to mass protests and sparked growing discontent within the military.

Avi Dichter, a former chief of the Shin Bet security agency, is expected to replace Gallant. Dichter had reportedly considered joining the defence minister but instead announced on Sunday that he was backing the prime minister.

Netanyahu and his allies say their plan will restore a balance between the judicial and executive branches and rein in what they see as an interventionist court with liberal sympathies.