Netanyahu delays controversial justice reform

After massive protests, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a temporary halt to the controversial judicial reform. “I have decided to suspend the second and third readings in this session,” Netanyahu said in Jerusalem on Monday. The bill will therefore not be put to a vote in parliament until the end of April at the earliest.

“We are in the midst of a crisis that threatens our essential unity,” Netanyahu said. He warned of a civil war that must not come. “Everyone has to take responsibility,” he said. So he stretches out his hand for dialogue.

Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir previously announced that he had reached an agreement with Netanyahu on a postponement. In return, a ‘national guard’ should be set up under the leadership of the far-right politician. It was initially unclear what this means in concrete terms. According to media reports, Ben-Gvir and Netanyahu had previously met for an emergency meeting, during which Ben-Gvir allegedly threatened to resign if Netanyahu did not comply with the reform plans.

Organizers of the demonstrations, which have been going on for weeks, said they would continue the protests. “The government has brought Israel close to ruin and still threatens to dismantle democracy. A temporary freeze is not enough and national protests will continue to increase until the law is rejected in the Knesset,” a statement said on Monday evening.

With the judicial reform, Netanyahu’s coalition wants to limit the influence of the Supreme Court and increase the government’s position of power. The right-wing religious coalition accuses the Supreme Court of excessive interference in political decisions. According to the plans, parliament should be able to overturn court decisions by a simple majority. In addition, the composition of the body for the appointment of judges will be changed. Critics see the separation of powers in danger and warn of a state crisis. (sda/dpa)