He was determined to press ahead with the reform, the head of government told a Thursday night news conference called specifically for the reports. “We cannot allow a dispute to jeopardize our common future,” Netanyahu continued to comment on resistance in his own ranks. “I will do everything to calm the situation and create cohesion.”
“The best way to achieve balanced reform and avoid splitting the nation is through consultation to find the broadest possible consensus,” Netanyahu said. He is trying to find a solution and has “an ear open to the other side’s concerns”. However, the renovation plans are expected to continue as planned. Parliament will vote on a core element of the reform in its final reading on Monday.
Portal/Menahem Kahana Defense Secretary Gallant reportedly asked for the overhaul to be scrapped
Netanyahu had already called Gallant for a clarification meeting, and a press conference originally scheduled by the minister was cancelled. According to unconfirmed media reports, he is said to be working to stop the reform plans and has even threatened to resign. Gallant’s spokeswoman said Gallant briefed Netanyahu on the reform’s impact on the military.
Decreased Defense Capability Warning
In principle, Gallant warns that the country will have to accept losses in its defense capacity as a large number of reservists join the protest against plans to restructure the judiciary. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right national security minister, said: “Gallant has placed himself outside the right-wing camp.” Opposition leader Jair Lapid called on “responsible members” of the Likud party to rise up against the judicial reform.
Again tens of thousands in protests
On Thursday, tens of thousands of Israelis again demonstrated against the government’s plans in several cities across the country. There were also clashes between protesters and security forces. According to Tel Aviv police, about ten protesters were arrested. As an AFP reporter reported, security forces also used water cannons against demonstrators.
There were also other meetings in front of Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem, in the northern port city of Haifa and in Beer Sheva, south of Jerusalem. Organizers of regular demonstrations against the restructuring of the judiciary proclaimed Thursday “National Paralysis Day”.
The focus of the planned conversion is the judge selection procedure. The government wants to increase its influence and limit the powers of the Supreme Court. She justified this with the accusation that the judges had interfered in politics.
Critics accuse the government of conservatives, religious fundamentalists and far-right nationalists of wanting to restrict the independence of the judiciary. According to her, democracy is at stake.
Preventing the resignation of the prime minister
On Thursday, Jerusalem’s parliament passed a law that will make it much more difficult in the future to declare a prime minister incapacitated. This was the first legislative change to the plans. The law change that was passed is particularly controversial because it is considered tailored to Prime Minister Netanyahu and his needs. A corruption case against the 73-year-old man has been running for a long time.
In the future, a prime minister could only be removed from office on mental health or other grounds. The aim is to prevent the Supreme Court or the Public Ministry from influencing matters. At the last reading, 61 out of 120 MEPs voted in favour. 47 deputies were against, the rest were absent or abstained. If the law is not stopped by the judiciary, a three-quarters majority would be required for impeachment in the future.
Netanyahu originally wanted to leave for London at night. However, he postponed his departure until Friday morning. Several demonstrations are planned in London during the visit. There he wants to meet British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.