Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, entering his sixth term, wants to rein in the Supreme Court, which members of the religious-nationalist coalition accuse of excesses and elitism.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog warned today that the country is facing a “historic constitutional crisis” over a controversial judicial reform plan, with the Israeli president saying he is mediating between the parties involved.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, entering his sixth term, wants to rein in the Supreme Court, which members of the religious-nationalist coalition accuse of excesses and elitism.
Campaigners of the reform plan, who staged nationwide protests on Saturday, argue that it will cripple judicial independence, foster corruption, hinder minority rights and rob Israeli courts of the credibility that helps them fend off war crimes charges. coming from abroad.
“We are in the throes of a deep disagreement that is tearing our nation apart. This confrontation deeply concerns me, as it concerns many throughout Israel and the (Jewish) diaspora,” Herzog said in a statement.
The Israeli president, whose post lacks executive powers and whose role is intended to unify an often divided Israeli society, stressed that he is “working non-stop, by all means, making non-stop efforts with the relevant parties, with the aim of creating a broad approach, careful, and a respectful discussion and dialogue.’
“I am now focused on … two critical roles that I believe I have as president at this time: averting a historic constitutional crisis and ending the ongoing rift within our nation.”
In televised remarks at his weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu made no mention of Herzog’s intervention.
Judicial reforms, the prime minister said, had been pursued by previous governments of various political shades “and no one then thought of talking about the end of democracy”.
Promising a “thorough debate” in an opposition-led parliamentary review committee, Netanyahu said: “We will complete reform legislation that will fix what needs to be fixed, fully protect individual rights and restore the trust of common to the judicial system”.
Yair Lapid, a centrist opposition leader, rejected those claims, telling Ynet TV: “They (the coalition) are pretending this is a constitutional issue.”
But he said he was open to reform measures.
While Netanyahu wants to authorize the 120-seat Knesset to override some Supreme Court rulings with a simple 61-vote majority, Lapid has proposed raising that threshold to 70 votes. Netanyahu’s coalition holds 64 seats.
Lapid also suggested holding a referendum: “It would be wise to go and consult the citizens before we decide to turn a democratic Israel into an undemocratic one, no?”
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