Timeline | How Israel's worst domestic crisis over controversial judicial reforms unfolded

Paris: Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu put a controversial overhaul on ice on Monday, after months of turmoil and mass protests. Here are some of the key moments of the country’s worst domestic crisis in years: 4 January: Reforms unveiled Israel’s justice minister Yariv Levin unveils plans to reform the judicial system which would give politicians more power over the courts. The proposed measures include giving parliament the power to overrule some Supreme Court decisions, and the government a greater say in the appointment of judges. Levin claims the court’s power to strike down legislation is a “danger” to democracy. Critics accuse Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges he denies, of trying to use the reforms to quash possible judgements against him. Opposition leader Yair Lapid says the proposal “endangers the entire legal system of the State of Israel”. 7 January: First mass protests Thousands of people in Tel Aviv demonstrate against the reforms and other policies of Netanyahu’s administration, one of the most right-wing governments in Israeli history. [caption id=“attachment_12362122” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Israelis opposed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul plan set up bonfires and block a highway during a protest moments after the Israeli leader fired his defence minister, in Tel Aviv, Israel. AP[/caption] Some protesters carry placards warning: “Democracy in danger”. 12 January: Top judge speaks out In rare public remarks, Supreme Court president Esther Hayut calls the reform package “an unbridled attack on the legal system, as if it were an enemy”. 21 January: Demonstrations spread The number of demonstrators grows to the tens of thousands and protests spread from Tel Aviv to other cities, including Haifa and Jerusalem. 24 January: Tech workers join in Hundreds of Israeli high-tech workers join the protests, claiming the government’s controversial plans will hurt the flourishing sector — a cornerstone of Israel’s economy — by undermining the rule of law and pushing away investors. Also read: Israel witnesses ‘biggest’ protest in history: What has angered the public? 12 February: President’s appeal President Isaac Herzog, who has a largely ceremonial role, warns Israel is “on the verge of legal and social collapse” and urges Netanyahu not to introduce the reforms. 21 February: UN urges rethink Volker Turk, the United Nations human rights chief, urges Israel to pause the reforms, saying he is concerned that “if passed, these changes risk weakening human rights protections for all.” [caption id=“attachment_12362142” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] The number of demonstrators has grown to thousands and protests have spread from Tel Aviv to other cities. AP[/caption] Netanyahu denounces the appeal as an “absurdity”. 1 March: Police crackdown Police in Tel Aviv use stun grenades, water cannon and officers on horseback to disperse protesters who attempt to block roads and railways in what organisers call a “day of disruption”. Netanyahu warns he will not “tolerate anarchy”. 6 March: Fighter pilots protest Thirty-seven Israeli air force pilots announce a boycott of military training in protest at the reforms. 15 March: German ‘concern’ German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expresses “great concern” over the reforms during a visit by Netanyahu to Berlin, calling on the Israeli government to compromise. 19 March: Biden call US president Joe Biden in a call with Netanyahu also urges “compromise”. He tells the Israeli leader that the judicial reforms must respect the democratic values that Biden calls a “hallmark” of the US-Israeli relationship. 25 March: Minister breaks ranks Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant breaks ranks with Netanyahu by calling to halt legislation. He cites “a clear, immediate and tangible threat to Israel’s security” as the unrest spreads to security agencies. An estimated 200,000 people demonstrate in Tel Aviv. Netanyahu fires him a day later. 27 March: Reform paused In an address to the nation, Netanyahu announces he is pausing the reform “out of a sense of national responsibility” and to allow time for dialogue. This prompted Israel’s top trade union leader Arnon Bar-David to call off a general strike announced earlier in the day which had disrupted flights and hospital care. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.