Israel's Supreme Court issued an injunction temporarily freezing the dismissal of the head of the domestic intelligence service as protestors returned to the streets for a fourth day.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had lost confidence in Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and intended to dismiss him. Tens of thousands of people joined demonstrations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv this week protesting against the sacking, which critics saw as an attempt to undermine state institutions.
"I'm looking at the end of the way of Israel as we knew it in the past. We are very concerned that these are the last days of Israel as a democracy," said Uri Arnin, an entrepreneur who joined a protest outside Netanyahu's Jerusalem residence.
"We are here to try and change this course, but the chances are not very high," he said.
The Supreme Court ruling will allow the court to consider petitions launched against the dismissal, which was approved by cabinet, with a decision no later than April 8, a court statement said.
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