In Israel, It's PM Vs People

Parts of Israel come to a standstill after the country's largest trade union federation announces a 'historic' strike; embassy in India, including ambassador, goes on strike; country's defence chief says protests must stay out of military; HC throws out petition urging it to force Netanyahu to recuse himself

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition plunged into chaos on Monday, after mass overnight protests over the sacking of his defence chief piled pressure on the government to halt its bitterly contested plans to overhaul the judiciary.

Israel faced one of the biggest waves of industrial action seen in years after the nation's largest union federation on Monday, Histadrut union, called for a general strike.

Netanyahu had been expected to make a televised statement on Monday morning announcing the plans, which he says are needed to restore balance to the system of government but that critics see as a threat to democracy, had been suspended.

The statement was postponed, however, as Netanyahu met heads of the coalition parties.