Facts

• On Thursday, Israel ratified a law limiting the circumstances in which a prime minister can be removed.
• In a 61-to-47 vote, the Knesset approved the bill that would allow only the prime minister himself, or two-thirds of the cabinet, to declare the leader unfit. The cabinet vote would then need to be ratified by a super majority in the parliament.
• Thursday’s legislation is one of several laws that comprise its contentious judicial reform and comes as thousands of demonstrators gathered throughout Israel in a fourth midweek day of protests. Tens of thousands have been attending weekly protests every Saturday for two months.
• Meanwhile, after local media reported that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was expected to give a statement calling for an immediate halt to the judicial overhaul, Netanyahu's office said the prime minister would issue "an important declaration" on Thursday night.
• Netanyahu, originally due to speak at 8 p.m. local time, pushed back his scheduled appearance to 8:40 p.m. and summoned Gallant for a meeting. It's unknown whether the defense minister is still expected to speak.
• Opposition politicians and protesters claim that the judicial reforms are leading Israel toward autocracy. Meanwhile, Netanyahu — on trial for corruption charges he denies — says the reforms are needed to restore the balance between the branches of government.