Tensions rise as Israel’s most far-right government hardens policies towards Palestinians
A large anti-government protest took place in Tel Aviv last weekend and there is a prospect of further demonstrations in the city and in Jerusalem.
Attempts by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to force the police to use water cannon against protestors have reportedly been rejected, but the police have agreed to take a tougher stance on demonstrators displaying Nazi symbols.
In heated comments on Tuesday, former prime minister Yair Lapid criticised proposed judicial reforms as "extreme regime change" and former defence minister Benny Gantz warned that they could lead to "civil war" urging Israelis to "go out en masse and demonstrate; it's time to make the country tremble".
Gantz's successor, Yoav Gallant, called for calm saying the country is "entering dangerous territory".
In response to the comments made by Lapid and Gantz, a coalition politician suggested that they be arrested for "treason against the state". The suggestion was endorsed by a second politician but slapped down by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who said that "in a democratic country we do not arrest the heads of opposition".
The exchange of accusations and threats prompted Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, to issue a statement calling on politicians to "lower the heat".
"The values of Israel's Declaration of Independence are our country's compass; I will not allow them to be harmed," he said. "This is a sensitive and explosive time in Israeli public life."
Growing tensions with Palestinians
The events, with the new government less than a month old, show the level of friction between Israelis themselves, and against a backdrop of growing tensions with Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
"It's still under three weeks since it was sworn in, but we've already seen intense and growing conflict between the new government and the opposition," Richard Pater, Director of the British-Israeli think tank BICOM told Sky News.
"The plans announced by the new justice minister - which would, if fully implemented, radically diminish the power of the judiciary and give unchecked powers to the elected government - have caused outrage among opposition groups."
The proposed reforms will give the government control over appointment of judges, and allow Israel's parliament, the Knesset, to reintroduce any law that a court annuls, if a majority of politicians vote in favour.
