He doesn’t care about protests: Netanyahu wants to push for judicial reform He doesn’t care about protests: Netanyahu wants to push for judicial reform

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to continue his controversial restructuring of the judiciary despite mass protests. At a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday, Netanyahu accused the opposition of merely buying time in negotiations brokered by President Izchak Herzog. Opposition politicians Jair Lapid and Benny Gantz merely feigned dialogue. “That is why we will come together this week and take practical steps,” Netanyahu announced. Referring to his election victory last year, he added that this must be done “in line with the mandate we have been given for changes in the judiciary”.

The right-wing conservative prime minister had suspended the plans in March after massive pressure with large demonstrations. However, months of negotiations between the government and the opposition failed to reach an agreement. On Wednesday, the representatives of the opposition then announced that they would not continue negotiations until the composition of a committee for the appointment of judges has been finalised. There are also massive arguments on this issue. The appointment of judges is a central part of the reform pushed by the right-wing religious government. Netanyahu’s alliance aims for a majority in the body.

On Saturday evening, tens of thousands of people again demonstrated against the plans – for the 24th week in a row. Netanyahu’s coalition wants to use the restructuring to specifically weaken the country’s highest court. The government accuses the judges of excessive interference in political decisions. Critics see the separation of powers and thus the democratic order in danger. (aeg/sda/dpa)