Tens of thousands demonstrate in Israel against a judicial reform. The President is now making an urgent appeal to the government.
In Israel, President Isaac Herzog has warned of a “constitutional and social collapse” in the country under the right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In one of his rare television speeches during prime time on Sunday evening, Herzog appealed to the members of the coalition government to postpone the steps towards judicial reform already planned for the coming week. In addition, Herzog presented a compromise plan for pacification.
“We are on the brink of constitutional and social collapse,” Herzog said. Everyone had the feeling “that we are on the verge of a clash – even a violent clash.”
In Israel, tens of thousands of people protested against the planned reform on Saturday. They accuse Netanyahu of endangering the democratic control of ministers by the courts. Therefore, the future of Israeli democracy is at stake. More protests and strikes have been announced for Monday, when the bill’s first reading in Parliament is scheduled.
Herzog is pushing for talks
Netanyahu’s conservative Likud party accuses the Supreme Court of being dominated by left-leaning judges who, for political reasons, meddle in areas beyond their jurisdiction. A trial is currently underway against Netanyahu himself over allegations of corruption.
Herzog urged immediate talks between the government and the opposition. The aim must be to establish a procedure for the enactment of Israel’s quasi-constitutional laws and to prohibit the Supreme Court from interfering with these laws. In addition, the powers of the Supreme Court must be defined more clearly. Herzog also called for changes in judge selection.
Netanyahu took office again in December after the election victory of his Likud and its allies, religious fundamentalists and right-wing nationalists. He formed one of the most right-wing governments in Israel’s history. According to many observers, a two-state solution to end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is also a long way off.
