Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu defends justice reform EU tightens sanctions against Iranian drone industry

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended his government’s controversial plan to weaken the judiciary against continued criticism. A law that will be passed in the coming days as part of the reform will “strengthen democracy,” he said in a speech on Thursday evening.

Netanyahu stressed that 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’. Critics feared arbitrary firings of key positions in violation of government policy.

Tens of thousands of opponents of the reform have been taking to the streets for months. There has also been pressure from the military recently. According to media reports, thousands of reservists have already announced they will no longer serve in protest against the plans of the right-wing religious government. “The military cannot bend the government,” Netanyahu said. “Israel will remain liberal and democratic, it will not become a religious law and it will protect the rights of everyone,” Netanyahu said.

Critics of the judicial reform see the separation of powers and thus democracy in danger. Many also fear a growing influence of religion. Netanyahu’s coalition also includes religious hardliners who are pushing for a weakening of the judiciary.

Netanyahu also accused the opposition of being responsible for the failure of dialogue to build a consensus on reforms. Several opposition politicians accused the head of government of lying and cheating in his speech. According to the media, the organizers of the protests called on the citizens of the country to resist after Netanyahu’s “speech full of lies and hate speech”. (sda/dpa)