Anti-reform protest builds up outside Knesset challenged by reform backer

As PM Binyamin Netanyahu delayed his promised announcement to later Monday, the number of protesters against the government’s legal reform plan outside the Knesset passed 100,000 after 12 weeks on the streets. By afternoon, they were challenged by pro-reform demonstrators, stirring fears of violent clashes. Netanyahu was said to be preparing to give in to the demands to defer judicial reform legislation – and even consider retracting his dismissal of defense minister Yoav Galant. His delays were explained by his efforts to talk down extremists of his own camp who threaten to bring the government down if he “surrenders” to mounting, turbulent popular pressure.