TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — In a bold move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that his government is determined to proceed with controversial plans to reform the country’s judicial system, despite faltering compromise talks.
Earlier this year, the proposed overhaul of the judiciary led Israel into one of its most severe domestic crises. Negotiations between the government and opposition parties initially provided some relief, as they sought to find common ground regarding the changes to the justice system.
However, these talks hit an obstacle last week due to a crisis surrounding the powerful regular committee responsible for selecting the country’s judges. Opposition leaders insisted that negotiations would remain frozen until the committee is formed.
During a Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu expressed disappointment in the opposition’s lack of good faith in the negotiations and announced that his government would proceed with caution in implementing the reforms.
“This week, we will begin taking practical steps following the mandate we received to make corrections to the justice system. We will proceed in a measured and responsible manner,” Netanyahu stated.
This decision to move forward is likely to ignite tensions and further fuel the ongoing protest movement that has persisted in demonstrating against the plans, even during the pause.
Protest leaders have made it clear that they are ready for another round of demonstrations to prevent any attempts to harm Israel’s democratic justice system. They are determined to ensure that such attempts fail.
In response to Netanyahu’s unilateral decision, opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that it would have critical consequences for the economy, security, and the well-being of the Israeli people.
Netanyahu’s government, comprising ultranationalist and ultra-religious parties, initially faced strong opposition to the overhaul plan. Leading economists, top legal officials, and former defense officials raised concerns about its potential dangerous consequences for the country’s future. Even the United States, Israel’s chief international ally, expressed apprehension.
The government argues that the plan is necessary to restore power to elected officials and reduce what it perceives as excessive intervention by the Supreme Court.
However, critics argue that the plan would disrupt Israel’s delicate system of checks and balances, and potentially lead the country towards authoritarianism.
Netanyahu had initially put the overhaul on hold in March following widespread protests and a general strike prompted by the firing of his defense minister, who opposed the plan. Military reservists threatened not to show up for duty if the reforms were approved.
The committee responsible for appointing judges, including the Supreme Court, has been at the center of the conflict surrounding the overhaul plan.
Traditionally, both the governing coalition and the opposition are represented on the nine-member committee. However, proponents of the reforms demanded that the coalition control both positions, leading to accusations that Netanyahu and his allies were attempting to stack the judiciary with their own loyalists.
Last week, the Parliament appointed the opposition representative to the committee, but failed to fill the second vacancy, causing a delay in the committee’s resumption of work.
Each side blames the other for the breakdown of the talks due to the committee appointments.
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