Civil unrest erupted in Israel after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for speaking out against the government’s attempt to gain greater control over the selection of Supreme Court justices and limit the court’s authority over Parliament. Gallant’s dismissal sparked chaotic late-night demonstrations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with protesters blocking roads and breaking through police barriers. The crisis has already caused weeks of protests, tensions with the Biden administration, and unrest in the military, and now it has caused a rift in the governing coalition itself, prompting leading academics and trade unionists to intervene politically.

The war in Ukraine has seen a surge in foreign volunteers joining the fight against Russian-backed separatists. However, with no formal structure for vetting volunteers, individuals with problematic pasts and fabricated military records have become entrenched in the International Legion and other volunteer groups. This has led to unchecked access to weapons and military equipment, posing a significant risk to the safety and security of those involved in the conflict. Formal structures for vetting volunteers are crucial to ensuring that only qualified individuals have access to weapons and military equipment.