Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation following a day of widespread strikes and protests. Netanyahu said he is “aware of the tensions” and is “listening to the people.” Referring to the refusal of some Israel Defense Forces reservists to train in protest at the government plans to overhaul the judiciary, Netanyahu said: “The state of Israel cannot continue with people who refuse to serve in the army. Refusing, it’s the end of our country.”” “Out of the responsibility to the nation, I decided to delay … the vote, in order to give time for discussion,” he added. The Associated Press reported:
Israel: Netanyahu delayes judicial overhaul plan
Newslooks- JERUSALEM (AP)
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday announced a delay in his judicial overhaul plan, saying he wanted to give time to seek a compromise over the contentious package with his political opponents. Netanyahu temporarily suspended his controversial judicial reform legislation that has led to mass protests and caused anger across most parts of society, including the military. The plan has been delayed until after the Knesset, the Israeli parliament recesses. They will be back in session in the end of April.
Netanyahu made the announcement after two days of large protests against the plan.
“When there’s an opportunity to avoid civil war through dialogue, I, as prime minister, am taking a timeout for dialogue,” Netanyahu said in a nationally televised address. Striking a more conciliatory tone, he said he was determined to pass a judicial reform but called for “an attempt to achieve broad consensus.”
Immediately after Netanyahu’s statement, the head of the country’s largest trade union said it would call off a general strike that threatened to grind Israel’s economy to a halt.
The overhaul is being driven by Netanyahu and his allies in Israel’s most right-wing government ever. It has plunged Israel into one of its worst domestic crises and led to an intensifying protest movement. Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, insists the reforms will prevent over-reach from Israel’s courts.
But critics say the move is at least partly aimed at helping Netanyahu with his legal troubles and is a direct and worrying challenge to Israel’s democratic ideals. There are also fears over what the new laws could mean for Netanyahu’s hard-line policy toward Palestinians. One of his government ministers who supports the reforms recently denied the existence of the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination.
The growing resistance to Netanyahu’s plan saw Israel’s leader dismiss his defense minister over the weekend after Yoav Galant called for the reforms to be paused. On Monday, Isaac Herzog, Israel’s president, who plays a largely ceremonial role in government, also urged Netanyahu to quickly halt the overhaul.
“The entire nation is rapt with deep worry. Our security, economy, society – all are under threat,” Herzog said in a statement. “Wake up now!”
Israel’s largest trade union announced a strike Monday that led to a suspension of some air travel at the country’s main airport in Tel Aviv. Other local government offices that oversee pre-schools and other essential services also were planning to strike.
The scale of the dissent in Israel is rare. It includes prominent military reservists, navy veterans, high-tech businesspeople and former officials. Netanyahu faced sizable protests from Israelis living overseas during recent trips to London and Paris.
The crisis has also concerned officials in the U.S., traditionally Israel’s closest ally.
“Democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship,” National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a Sunday statement. Watson said there was “urgent need for compromise.”
Netanyahu is Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, though he briefly lost the role in 2021 before returning to power for a sixth term late last year. His fragile coalition government relies on support from ultra-nationalist and religious parties.
The corruption charges against him date back to at least 2016 when investigators accused him of doing official favors for wealthy businessmen in exchange for gifts such as cigars, champagne and luxury clothes. He is also accused of seeking favorable coverage of his government from Israeli news outlets. He denies the allegations.
