JERUSALEM, March 25 (Portal) – Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Saturday called on the government to halt legislation to change the judiciary, saying the bitter row over the measures posed a threat to national security.
“The deepening division seeps into military and defense institutions — this is a clear, immediate and real threat to Israel’s security,” Gallant said in a brief televised statement.
Gallant’s call was backed by at least two other Likud MPs, Yuli Edelstein and David Bitan, who said reforms should be carried out with broad consensus.
It was unclear whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was completing a visit to London and looking to finalize legislation on at least one bill in the coming week, would heed her call.
Netanyahu – who is on trial for corruption, which he denies – is under pressure from other members of his ruling coalition who want him to go ahead with a bill this week that would give them more leverage in choosing judges.
Far-right Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Netanyahu to fire Gallant, who he said had caved in to opposition pressure.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid praised Gallant’s “bold step” and said he was ready to talk about the reforms once the government halted legislation.
Gallant said he supports reform of the judicial system, but that it must be done with broad consensus. But with a solid majority of 64 seats in parliament, the coalition would have enough votes even without him.
The defense chief has previously expressed concern over a wave of Israelis who have pledged not to heed military reserve call-ups as reforms progress, saying it could weaken wartime readiness and national cohesion.
The judiciary overhaul plan announced on January 4 has plunged Israel into its worst political crisis in years as mass protests swept the country.
It has also raised concerns abroad, warning of a serious economic backlash.
Despite Netanyahu’s pledge this week to enshrine civil rights in law and to postpone some chapters of the revision during the April recess of parliament, opposition does not seem to have faltered.
According to Israeli media, around 200,000 Israelis demonstrated against the plan in Tel Aviv on Saturday, and tens of thousands more across the country.
“I am fighting for the future of my country as I know it. Having grown up in the Soviet Union, I know exactly what it means to live in a dictatorial regime. I will do everything in my power to prevent my country from becoming one,” said Tel Aviv protester Janna Gur, 64.
Additional reporting by Rami Amichay in Tel Aviv; writing by Maayan Lubell; Edited by Andrew Heavens and Giles Elgood
Our standards: The Thomson Portal Trust Principles.