A sign of support for Netanyahu in the judicial reform that brought Israel to the brink of civil war
For weeks Israel has been rocked by protests against the plan, which restricts the powers of the judiciary.
The dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who opposed the plan, which drew wide criticism within the military, was the “last straw” as thousands of Israelis took to the streets in many cities last night.
As events that brought the country to the brink of civil war escalated, President Isaac Herzog called on Netanyahu to drop the plan. “For the integrity of the Israeli people, I urge you to immediately stop the judicial process,” Herzog said on Twitter.
The alternative bill introduced by Herzog, which warns parties of “civil war”, had previously been rejected by the government.
On the other hand, a Likud party source signaled “backtracking”, saying that Netanyahu may halt the judicial reform process as events escalate. It is reported that the Prime Minister will make a statement in a few hours.
According to Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) news, which is based on the prime minister’s sources, Netanyahu plans to announce that he has suspended judicial regulation.
THE JUDICIAL REFORM THAT LEFT ISRAEL
The judicial reform, announced on January 5, plans to limit the powers of the Supreme Court and reduce the influence of the judiciary in the selection of judges. The Netanyahu government claimed that judicial regulation would greatly remove the authority of the Supreme Court to strike down laws passed by Parliament.
The plan, which has sparked mass protests for 12 weeks, has also drawn harsh criticism from within the military, which is not heavily involved in the country’s politics. Israel’s main ally, the United States, also expressed concern about the events.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
BOYCOTT DECISION OF THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE
The Legislative Committee of the Israeli Parliament has decided not to vote on the judicial reform. According to news from the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN), the Commission decided not to vote in the second and third sessions of the law, which changed the structure of the Committee to Appoint Judges.
Before any law can be put to a vote in the House, it must be approved by the Legislative Committee and be finalized there.
MAYORS BEGIN HUNGER STRIKE
Some mayors have announced that they will start a hunger strike outside Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office in West Jerusalem.
According to the Yediot Ahronot daily, the mayors of the central cities of Herzliya and Kfar Saba and of the Zikhron Ya’akov district announced in a joint statement that they will start a hunger strike outside Netanyahu’s office today. In a joint statement in which they affirm that they will demand “to stop the disaster and the great crisis that Israel has been dragged into”, the mayors asked the Government to stop the controversial step of the judicial reform and start negotiations with the opposition.
Naftali Bennett, one of Israel’s former prime ministers, commented on the political crisis: “Israel is in the greatest danger since the Yom Kippur war.”
INTELLIGENCE CHIEF MEETS NETANYAHU
On the other hand, Ronen Bar, Head of the Shin-Bet (Shabak), Israel’s Internal Intelligence Agency, rushed to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s residence yesterday to discuss the political crisis. He recorded that the protesters in the region shouted slogans such as “Save democracy” at the Barra.
The three ministers from the ruling Likud party announced that they intend to support Netanyahu’s decision if he decides to stop the “judicial reform” plan.
Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar said: “We paid a heavy price for not making a statement. The reform of the judicial system is necessary and vital. But when the house burns down, you can’t ask who is right, you have to pour water and save the contents, ”he said. Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli also called for a reconsideration of the judicial regulation.
“Reform is necessary and we will do it, but not at the cost of a civil war,” Economy Minister Nir Barkat said.
On the other hand, it is noted that the Minister of Justice Yariv Levin, one of the greatest defenders of the controversial judicial regulation, does not intend to take a step back. Levin reportedly threatened to leave the governing coalition if the bill was delayed or suspended. (AGENCIES)