Netanyahu was poised to announce the decision Monday morning, although it was unclear if this was enough to placate the opposition to the controversial bills. Israel Hayom has learned that the bills could be reintroduced after Israel's Independence Day in late April.
The 24-team tournament is scheduled to be held from May 20-June 11 across six cities in Indonesia. Israel was set to make its debut in the competition.
"As the president recently discussed with Prime Minister Netanyahu, democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the US-Israel relationship," NSC spokeswoman says. "Democratic societies are strengthened by checks and balances, and fundamental changes to a democratic system should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support."
Firing Gallant was a strong, blunt message aimed at deterring other Likud MKs, lest they test the prime minister.
Demonstrations took place in Tel Aviv, as well as Beersheba, Haifa and Jerusalem, where thousands of people gathered outside Netanyahu's private residence. Police scuffled with protesters and sprayed the crowd with a water cannon. Thousands then marched from the residence to the Knesset, Israel's parliament.
