Gallant’s speech last night rocked Likud, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party.
I apologize to Likud voters for our defense minister who gave in to pressure from the left, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi said.
The Neemanei Eretz Yisrael (loyal to the Land of Israel) group, which includes thousands of members of this political formation, called on Netanyahu to sack the official, who called for a dialogue on the issue.
“For the sake of Israel’s security, the legislative process must be halted and negotiations must begin,” he said in a speech to the country.
Likud MPs Moshe Saada and Dan Illouz echoed the criticism and called for his resignation.
However, the chairman of the Legislature’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Likud MP Yuli Edelstein, backed the minister, as did Conservative MP David Bitan.
The Times of Israel newspaper revealed last week that there are cracks in the Likud due to rising political and social tensions in the country caused by the initiative.
Although most members of the faction support the radical judicial reform being pushed by both Netanyahu and judiciary chief Yariv Levin, the plan also has its fair share of opponents who are skeptical and hesitant, he stressed.
The opposition fully backed the defense chief’s words, including several of their key figures such as former Prime Minister Yair Lapid.
The reform proposed by the Executive would limit the Supreme Court’s ability to overturn legislation by allowing Parliament to re-enact regulations contested by that body.
The plan would also allow the far-right executive branch to control the appointment of judges.
Large parts of the country, including students, the military and business people, have been fighting the project, which threatens to split the country, for weeks.
mem/rob