After refusing to join the protests until now, Arnon Bar David in a fiery speech says Israel is not a banana republic, and claims his many efforts to bring about dialogue and a halt to legislation failed; flights grounded at Ben-Gurion airport after IAA union decision to strike

Israelis increasingly fearful of surging violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are deciding to get a gun license in a lengthy bureaucratic process as they train in firing range

Minister shares harrowing experience of trying to get his ailing father to the hospital amidst roadblocks set up by protesters, says the police had to intervene to clear the way

White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson says in statement that compromise is the best way forward as angered protesters block main Tel Aviv highway, after PM sacks his defense minister

Sources say PM decision was already made as leaders of the coalition parties were summoned to a meeting, amid growing anger in protests; Universities to strike and mass demonstrations expected outside Knesset; Labour Union expected to join protest

In the first ever such event, workers and employers from the private sector join hands in strike; as local councils, universitites, medical institutions and others say they will not stand by as their country burns

Prime minister delays expected statement for hours as coalition partner Itamar Ben-Gvir threatens to resign from government; Local authority heads launch hunger strike outside Knesset; protests in progress around the country as people gather for mass rally in Jerusalem