Israeli president wants to resume negotiations on controversial reform US report: IS leader Usamah al-Muhajir killed in Syria

Ahead of a decisive vote in parliament, Israeli President Izchak Herzog has urged the resumption of negotiations on the controversial judicial reform. “A deal is possible. And yet no one is willing to sit down and talk — now, without any preconditions,” Herzog said in Jerusalem on Sunday, adding: “This is a mistake of historic proportions.”

The bill stipulates, among other things, that the Supreme Court may no longer judge a government decision as “inappropriate”. Critics fear that this could encourage corruption and thus the arbitrary filling of senior positions.

Herzog explained: “I ask our representatives in the Knesset: is it worth it? Is it really worth it? The numbers, the data, the polls and the debates reflect a real and important public need for dialogue and consensus.” According to him, an agreement, also in the dispute about the so-called adequacy clause, is feasible. “Leave your egos aside. Come talk.”

In late March, Herzog brokered talks between the government and the opposition. But even after months of bickering, they couldn’t come to an agreement. About three weeks ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu put the controversial project back on the agenda in a slimmed-down form. Part of the first of three lectures will be presented to parliament (Knesset) on Monday.

The government accuses the judges of interfering too much in political decisions. For more than six months, the government’s comprehensive project has divided large segments of Israeli society. (sda/dpa)