Explained: The three months of turmoil in Israel under Benjamin Netanyahu's new government

Jerusalem: Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government has triggered months of unrest and concern among Western allies over extremist rhetoric and controversial judicial reforms that are now on hold. Netanyahu was forced on Monday night to pause a judicial reform programme blasted by opponents, including parts of the military, as anti-democratic. AFP looks back at three months of turmoil since the veteran premier made a comeback at the head of the most right-wing government in the country’s history. Mosque provocation In January, Israel’s extreme-right firebrand and new national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visits Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound — one of the holiest sites in Islam — for the first time since taking office. The mosque compound is built on top of what Jews call the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site, which Ben-Gvir has for years been visiting. [caption id=“attachment_12367962” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] The judicial reforms have triggered 12 weeks of mass protests, with opponents, including some members of the military’s reserve forces, accusing Netanyahu’s government of endangering democracy. AP[/caption] His trip sparks a wave of international criticism and enrages Palestinians who see the move as a provocation. Minister’s fraud conviction Later that month, the Supreme Court rules that a senior member of Netanyahu’s government, health and interior minister Aryeh Deri, cannot serve due to a recent tax evasion conviction. The government slams the decision but Netanyahu removes Deri from office. Settlement expansion In February, Israel’s security Cabinet announces it will legalise nine settler outposts in the occupied West Bank and build thousands of new units, following a series of deadly attacks on Israelis in annexed east Jerusalem. Also read: Israel witnesses ‘biggest’ protest in history: What has angered the public? The foreign ministers of five Western powers — including the United States, a staunch Israel ally — condemn the Israeli decision. Call to ‘wipe out’ Palestinian town In February, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calls for the Palestinian town of Huwara to be “wiped out” after two Israelis are shot dead there. The United Nations denounces the “unfathomable” call and Smotrich later says he had chosen his words poorly. But a month later he adds fuel to the fire by claiming “there are no Palestinians, because there isn’t a Palestinian people” — remarks slammed as “racist” by Palestinian and other Arab leaders. [caption id=“attachment_12367972” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he was freezing the plan to give time to seek a compromise with his opponents, but protesters have vowed to continue their demonstrations, saying they don’t trust him. AP[/caption] West Bank crackdown Israeli security forces launch a series of deadly counter-terrorism raids in the West Bank, which experiences its worst violence in nearly 20 years, following a rise in attacks against Israelis. In the deadliest incident, an Israeli army operation in Nablus leaves 12 Palestinians killed, including a teenager, and over 80 wounded on 22 February. The Israeli army says its troops came under fire from suspected militants. Uproar over judicial reforms In January, the government unveils highly controversial judicial reforms that give politicians the power to overrule decisions of the Supreme Court and more of a say in the appointment of judges. The reforms trigger 12 weeks of mass protests, with opponents, including some members of the military’s reserve forces, accusing Netanyahu’s government of endangering democracy. The tipping point comes when Netanyahu sacks Defence Minister Yoav Gallant after he calls for the reform to be paused. Israel’s trade union leader calls an immediate general strike, forcing Netanyahu to announce a pause in the reforms to allow for talks with the Opposition. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .