Chaos prevails in Israel after the defense minister was crippled Yoav Galan who opposed the judicial review of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to protest after the minister’s removal, and the push for the controversial reform.

In Jerusalem, police and soldiers used water cannons against protesters near Mr Netanyahu’s home. Early Monday morning, the president of Israel Isaac Herzog called on the government to stop the reforms. “For the sake of the unity of the people of Israel, for the sake of responsibility, I call on you to immediately stop the legislative process”he tweeted, adding that “the eyes of all the people of Israel they are directed at you”.

“I appeal to the leaders of all factions in the Knesset, coalition and opposition, to put the citizens of the country above all else and act responsibly and courageously without further delay. Come to your prayers now!’ Herzog characteristically declares.

The US also said it was deeply concerned about the developments and called for a compromise.

Among other things, the reforms will give the government full control of the competent committee that appoints judges. They also make it harder for courts to remove a leader deemed unfit for office, which has angered many Israelis who they see as benefiting Benjamin Netanyahu himself, who faces corruption charges.

Mr Netanyahu, for his part, argues that the reforms are designed to stop the courts from overstepping their powers and that they were voted in by the people in the last election.