(JNS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has backed down and will keep Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in his post for the foreseeable future due to security concerns.

Gallant, who was sacked last Sunday, sparked major protests across Israel as protesters took to the streets to oppose Netanyahu's actions.

But Netanyahu failed to make the sacking official and has now undone his actions, to leave Gallant in his job.

The night before he was sacked, Gallant drew Netanyahu’s fury by calling a televised address in which he made a plea to the government to halt their judicial reform program. His call came as Israeli reservist protesters threatened to compromise Israel's defence capacity.

According to JNS, a source close to Netanyahu said on Monday that “due to the current security situation, the prime minister will address the matter of the defense minister at a later time.”

After Netanyahu paused the reforms to “provide a real opportunity for real dialogue,” Shas Party leader Aryeh Deri and other coalition lawmakers began urging the premier to reverse the sacking.

Deri has reportedly been mediating between Netanyahu and Gallant, who met last Tuesday for a security briefing despite the developments.