JERUSALEM (Reuters) Jan,15- Israel’s president warned on Wednesday that the country was facing a “historic constitutional crisis” over a controversial judicial reform bill.
Tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated on Saturday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial reform plans, with organizers accusing him of undermining democratic rule weeks after he was re-elected. Best Riding Coal of Religious Nationalism.
Critics say the proposed reforms undermine judicial independence, foster corruption, set back minority rights, and erode confidence in Israel’s court system, which helps to avoid war crimes charges abroad. Let’s say, some of the opponents are the best.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, now in his sixth term, wants to suppress the Supreme Court, which members of his religious-nationalist coalition have accused of exaggeration and elitism.
Opponents of the plan, which held nationwide protests on Saturday, said it would undermine judicial independence, foster corruption, set back minority rights and avoid war crimes charges abroad. It claims to undermine the trust of helpful Israeli courts.
“We are facing deep disagreements that are tearing our country apart. This conflict troubles me deeply, as it troubles Israel and many in the (Jewish) diaspora.” President Isaac Herzog said in a statement.
Herzog, whose post lacks executive powers and is designed to unify an often fractious Israeli society, said he was “working full time, by every means, making nonstop efforts with the relevant parties, with the aim of creating wide-reaching, attentive, and respectful discussion and dialogue”.
“I am now focused on two critical roles that I believe I bear as president at this hour:
averting a historic constitutional crisis and stopping the continued rift within our nation.”
In televised remarks at his weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu made no mention of Herzog’s overture.
Judicial reforms, he said, had been sought by previous governments of various political stripes “and no one then thought about talking about an end to democracy”.
Promising a “delving discussion” in a parliamentary review committee where the opposition has representation, Netanyahu said:
“We will complete the reform legislation that will fix what needs fixing, will fully protect individual rights and will restore the public’s trust in the justice system.”
Yair Lapid, centrist head of the opposition, was dismissive of such assertions, telling Ynet TV:
“They (the coalition) are pretending that this is a constitutional issue.”
But he also expressed openness to a measure of reform. Netanyahu wants to allow the 120-seat Knesset to overturn a Supreme Court ruling with a 61-vote majority, but Rapid has proposed raising the threshold to 70 votes. Netanyahu’s coalition occupies his 64 seats.
Rapid also proposed a referendum:
“Wouldn’t it be wise to consult the people before deciding to turn a democratic Israel into an undemocratic one?”
