Isaac Herzog

The latest protest against the Israeli government's controversial judicial reform plans packed central Tel Aviv on Saturday, as divisions persist before lawmakers return to parliament.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was criticized by Palestine after she praised Israeli democracy in remarks marking the 75th anniversary of Israel's founding, Politico reported.

In a video message released by the EU embassy in Israel, von der Leyen paid tribute to Israel as a "vibrant democracy in the heart of the Middle East".

Israel's President Isaac Herzog (C-L), Polish President Andrzej Duda (C) and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (C-R) during the official celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in Warsaw, Poland, 19 April 2023. EPA-EFE/Leszek Szymanski

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has spoken over the phone with his Israeli counterpart, Isaac Herzog, and discussed Israel's security forces' raid on Al-Aqsa Mosque, their attack on the Qibla Masjid and their harsh attitude towards people at sacred places, said the Presidential Communications Directorate on April 8.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday night paused a judicial overhaul that triggered a general strike, political division and mass protests in the country's most severe domestic crisis in years.

The proposed reforms would curtail the authority of the Supreme Court and give politicians greater powers over the selection of judges.

Türkiye expressed "deep concern" on March 22 over the escalating tension in Jerusalem and the West Bank ahead of Ramadan.

Israelis on Saturday took to the streets in protests, now in their 11th week, against plans by Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-line government to overhaul the country's legal system.

In the first visit of a European foreign minister to Israel after the inauguration of the new government on December 29, Nikos Dendias' trip on Tuesday will focus on energy, investment, defense and the deepening of Greek-Israeli cooperation.

Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias will pay an official visit to Israel on Tuesday, the first visit of a European foreign minister to Israel since the country's new government was sworn in on December 29, 2022.

Turkey's ambassador to Israel, Şakir Özkan Torunlar, presented his credentials to President Isaac Herzog on Jan. 11, the latest move in rebuilding ties after years of crisis between the two countries.