“Israel will remain democratic”: Netanyahu defends controversial judicial reform

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A law that will be passed in the coming days as part of the reform will “strengthen democracy,” Netanyahu said in a speech Thursday night. Critics, on the other hand, see democracy in danger because of the planned weakening of the judiciary. “All these statements about the destruction of democracy are simply absurd,” said the head of government.

According to Netanyahu, efforts are still being made to reach agreement on the bill. He left open what these efforts look like.

According to the media, the law could enter into force as early as Monday or Tuesday. It is then no longer possible for the Supreme Court to judge decisions by the government or individual ministers as ‘inappropriate’. Earlier this year, Netanyahu had to fire his interior minister after judges classified the appointment as “inappropriate” because of his criminal past. Observers expect that the coalition wants to reverse this with the new law. Critics also feared that key public policy opponents could be arbitrarily fired.

Thousands of reservists no longer want to appear in service

Tens of thousands of people have been protesting against the reform for months. After Netanyahu’s speech, thousands demonstrated again until Friday night. In Tel Aviv, protesters temporarily blocked a central highway. They also disrupted traffic in other cities. The police used water cannons and, according to the media, arrested several people. Accordingly, the security forces used violence against demonstrators during several meetings.

Pressure on Netanyahu has also come from the military recently. According to media reports, thousands of reservists have already announced they will no longer serve in protest against the government’s plans. “In a democracy, the military is subordinate to the government and does not exert any pressure on the government,” he said. The refusal to perform military service endangers democracy.

“Israel will remain liberal and democratic, it will not become a state of religious law and it will protect the rights of everyone,” the Israeli prime minister said. Many secular Israelis fear a growing influence of religion. Netanyahu’s coalition also includes religious hardliners who are pushing for a weakening of the judiciary.

Prime Minister shoots at opposition

The controversial plans and general course of the right-wing religious government have also become a stress test for the relationship between Israel and the US, its main ally.

In his speech on Thursday, the prime minister accused the opposition of being responsible for the failure of a dialogue to build a consensus on the reform. Talks between the government and the opposition, brokered by Israeli President Izchak Herzog, have failed to reach an agreement after months of bickering.

On the other hand, several opposition politicians and the organizers of the protests accused the head of government of lying in his speech. (SDA)

Source:Blick