For months, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have been taking to the streets to protest proposed changes to the country's legal system.

Tensions rose further this past weekend when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over his opposition to the planned overhaul, prompting mass street protests and widespread strike action.

Netanyahu announced on Monday that Israel's contentious judicial overhaul legislation will be put on hold until the next session of the Knesset, after the Passover recess in April. The nation's largest labor union called an end to the strike after Netanyahu's announcement.

At its core, the judicial overhaul would give the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, and therefore the parties in power, more control over Israel's judiciary. Opponents say the plan threatens the foundations of Israeli democracy.

People scuffle with police in Jerusalem during a protest outside the Knesset, Israel's parliament, on Monday, March 27.
People scuffle with police in Jerusalem during a protest outside the Knesset, Israel's parliament, on Monday, March 27.
Ariel Schalit/AP
People protest outside the Knesset on March 27.
People protest outside the Knesset on March 27.
AP
People attend a demonstration in Jerusalem on March 27.
People attend a demonstration in Jerusalem on March 27.
Ammar Awad/Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a meeting at the Knesset on March 27. Netanyahu and his supporters argue that the Supreme Court has become an insular, elitist group that does not represent the Israeli people. They argue the Supreme Court has overstepped its role, getting into issues it should not rule on. Defending his plans, the prime minister has pointed to countries like the United States, where politicians control which federal judges are appointed and approved.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a meeting at the Knesset on March 27. Netanyahu and his supporters argue that the Supreme Court has become an insular, elitist group that does not represent the Israeli people. They argue the Supreme Court has overstepped its role, getting into issues it should not rule on. Defending his plans, the prime minister has pointed to countries like the United States, where politicians control which federal judges are appointed and approved.
Ronen Zvulun/Reuters
Protesters gather outside the Knesset on March 27.
Protesters gather outside the Knesset on March 27.
Avishag Shaar-Yashuv/The New York Times/Redux
Israelis protest in Jerusalem on March 27.
Israelis protest in Jerusalem on March 27.
Ilan Rosenberg/Reuters
Mounted police move in on protesters blocking a highway in Tel Aviv on March 27.
Mounted police move in on protesters blocking a highway in Tel Aviv on March 27.
Amit Elkayam/The New York Times/Redux
Yair Lapid, Israel's opposition leader and former premier, speaks outside the Knesset on March 27. Lapid urged Netanyahu to reverse his decision to fire Gallant and told the Knesset that the country had been "taken hostage by a bunch of extremists with no brakes and no boundaries."
Yair Lapid, Israel's opposition leader and former premier, speaks outside the Knesset on March 27. Lapid urged Netanyahu to reverse his decision to fire Gallant and told the Knesset that the country had been "taken hostage by a bunch of extremists with no brakes and no boundaries."
Hazem Bader/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters wave Israeli flags during a demonstration in Jerusalem on March 27.
Protesters wave Israeli flags during a demonstration in Jerusalem on March 27.
Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images
Police use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking a highway in Tel Aviv on March 27.
Police use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking a highway in Tel Aviv on March 27.
Oren Ziv/AP
Protesters block a highway in Tel Aviv on March 27.
Protesters block a highway in Tel Aviv on March 27.
Ohad Zwigenberg/AP
People protest in Tel Aviv on March 26.
People protest in Tel Aviv on March 26.
Ohad Zwigenberg/AP
A demonstrator wears an Israeli flag as a road is blocked in Tel Aviv on March 26.
A demonstrator wears an Israeli flag as a road is blocked in Tel Aviv on March 26.
Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Israelis protest in Tel Aviv on March 26.
Israelis protest in Tel Aviv on March 26.
Zohar Tal/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images