Status: 03/29/2023 03:12 a.m
After the judicial reform in Israel was postponed, the opposition is willing to talk – but remains skeptical. In Jerusalem, she now met for the first negotiations with the government.
In the dispute over the planned judicial reform in Israel, the right-wing religious coalition and the opposition have met for the first negotiations. President Izchak Herzog invited the working groups of the government and the two main opposition parties to the meeting at his residence in Jerusalem, his office said. During the week there should also be talks with the other parties.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that the reform would be postponed after weeks of protests had intensified and tensions had also arisen in his government. Netanyahu said in a televised speech that the individual bills relating to the reform would only be finally passed after the start of the new parliamentary term in mid-April.
It is unclear whether a compromise proposed by Herzog a few weeks ago should serve as a basis for the negotiations. Netanyahu rejected the comprehensive proposal as “unbalanced”. The opposition backed it.
Skepticism from the opposition and the media
The media and opposition, meanwhile, reacted with skepticism to Netanyahu’s announcement of a “pause”. The Prime Minister knows “how to turn a crushing defeat into a draw with pretty words,” according to the Israeli daily Jediot Ahronot.
Opposition leader Jair Lapid announced on Monday that he would be willing to talk, but remained cautious: “We have had bad experiences in the past and will therefore first make sure that it is not a ruse or a bluff.” The parties of Lapid and former Defense Secretary Benny Gantz said in a joint statement that talks would be halted immediately if the law was put on the Knesset agenda.
The leader of the Labor Party, Meirav Michaeli, saw little reason for a compromise along the lines of the prime minister. “The struggle and protest must continue and intensify.” Netanyahu only wanted to buy time with his statements, but ultimately wanted to implement exactly what so many people in the country were afraid of.
Again protests
Meanwhile, opponents of the government plans continued to protest. Dozens of people gathered in front of the President’s residence in Jerusalem in the evening to protest against the start of the negotiations. “The opposition leaders and the president should know that they are taking part in a theatrical performance directed by Netanyahu,” criticized a spokesman for the organizers and called for the talks to be halted.
There were also rallies in Tel Aviv in the afternoon with hundreds of demonstrators. On Monday evening, supporters of judicial reform demonstrated for the first time in Jerusalem. After large parts of economic life came to a standstill on Monday due to a general strike in protest against the reform, normal operations have now returned. Planes also took off regularly at the international airport.
introduced bill
With the judicial reform, Netanyahu’s coalition wants to curtail the influence of the Supreme Court and expand the government’s position of power. She accuses the Supreme Court of excessive interference in political decisions. In the future, for example, Parliament should be able to overturn decisions of the Supreme Court with a simple majority. Critics see the separation of powers in danger and warn of a state crisis if the reform is implemented in this way.
Despite the announced postponement, the coalition brought before the negotiations a bill to change the composition of the body that appoints judges in Parliament. Opposition politicians spoke of “a gun to the head” during the negotiations.
Biden urges Netanyahu to abandon judicial reform
On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden also joined the broad international criticism of the judicial reform. He urged Netanyahu to abandon the controversial project. “I hope he moves away from that,” Biden said. Netanyahu immediately responded with a statement. “Israel is a sovereign country that makes its decisions according to the will of its people and not under pressure from abroad, even from their best friends,” he said. His government is trying to bring about reforms “through a broad consensus”.
However, Netanyahu explained that Biden’s demand does not damage the good relations between the two countries. “I have known President Biden for over 40 years and appreciate his longstanding commitment to Israel.” The Israeli-American alliance is unbreakable “and always overcomes the occasional disagreements between us.”