PM Netanyahu halts Judicial reforms after massive protests

Tel Aviv, Mar 28: Embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on March 27 that he would temporarily freeze his controversial judicial overhaul plans to seek a compromise following unprecedented demonstrations and a general strike that paralyzed the Jewish nation.

 

 

 

Netanyahu, 73, said that he ordered “the timeout” on the contentious legislation until after the Knesset (Parliament) recess in order “to give a real opportunity for real dialogue”. “One thing I am not willing to accept — there are a minority of extremists that are willing to tear our country to shreds... escorting us to civil war and calling for refusal of army service, which is a terrible crime,” the Israeli Prime Minister said.

 

 

 

Drawing an analogy from the story of King Solomon from about 3,000 years ago when two women reached out with a claim over a baby boy and the king said to divide the infant into two halves to ascertain the real mother, Netanyahu said that he would not let that happen to Israel in his watch. “When there’s an option to avoid civil war through dialogue, I take a time-out for dialogue…. out of national responsibility,” Netanyahu said, asserting that most of his coalition members backed the “reforms” and he could have done it if he wished so. President Isaac Herzog said, “Stopping the legislation is the right thing. This is the time to begin a sincere, serious, and responsible dialogue that will urgently calm the waters and lower the flames. “I call on everyone to act responsibly. Protests and demonstrations, on whichever side - yes. Violence - not! If one side wins, the state will lose. We must remain one people and one state - Jewish and democratic,” the President said. “For the sake of our unity and the sake of our children’s future, we must start talking, here and now. The President’s residence, the people’s home, is a space for dialogue and the formation of as broad agreements as possible, intending to extract our beloved State of Israel from the deep crisis that we are in. And you gave peace in the Land, and eternal joy to its inhabitants,” Herzog added. Netanyahu earlier on Monday urged protesters “to behave responsibly and refrain from violence” as Israelis from all over the country started descending into Jerusalem and workers from a range of sectors joined a protest movement against the government’s contentious plan. Netanyahu’s appeal came hours after Herzog on Monday appealed to him to immediately halt his controversial judicial overhaul, warning that the move has put the country’s security, economy, and society under threat. Netanyahu in his first public statement since widespread demonstrations erupted in reaction to his sacking of the defence minister has urged protesters, from the left and right, “to behave responsibly and refrain from violence.” As Israelis from all over the country started descending into Jerusalem, in a tweet Netanyahu appeared to address fears of violent clashes this evening between opponents and supporters of the government’s judicial overhaul plan. “All of us are brothers and sisters,” Netanyahu stressed in his tweet.

 

Also Read: Israeli Defence minister fired by PM Netanyahu for opposing judicial reforms 

 

President Herzog’s appeal to Netanyahu came after the Prime Minister sacked Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for opposing his judicial reforms, sparking widespread street protests. The President also called on the government to put aside political considerations for the sake of the nation. “Last night we witnessed very difficult scenes. I appeal to the Prime Minister, members of the Government, and members of the Coalition: there are harsh and painful feelings. The entire nation is rapt with deep worry,” Herzog said. “Our security, economy, society — all are under threat. The whole people of Israel are looking at you. The whole Jewish People are looking at you. The whole world is looking at you,” the ceremonial President in a statement. “For the sake of the unity of the People of Israel, for the sake of the necessary responsibility, I call on you to halt the legislative process immediately,” he emphasized.

He urged all the leaders in power to place the country’s citizens above all else. “I appeal to the leaders of all Knesset factions, Coalition and Opposition alike, to place this country’s citizens above all else and to act with courage and responsibility without further delay. Wake up now! This is not a political moment; this is a moment for leadership and responsibility,” the President asserted.