Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Monday as a “necessary democratic step” the approval by Parliament of a decisive measure of the controversial judicial reform presented by his ultranationalist government.
“This stage is intended to restore the balance between powers (…), we vote [esta medida] so that the government can conduct a policy in accordance with the decision of the majority of the citizens,” Netanyahu said in a televised speech.
At the same time, the Israeli head of government urged opponents of dialogue to “reach agreements” on other aspects of the reform that have not yet been voted on.
“We will continue our efforts to negotiate and reach agreements. We do not give up the opportunity to reach a broad agreement, and I say that it is possible, ”she said during the speech.
Netanyahu also indicated that the opposition rejected “all compromise proposals” presented by his right-wing and far-right coalition, and noted that the Executive “will remain in contact with the opposition to discuss” the future of the reform during the recess of parliamentary work in August.
“We all agree that Israel must remain a strong democracy, that it must protect the individual rights of all,” he argued, before calling on the more than 10,000 reservists who suspended their service to set aside political differences and reverse their decision.
The Israeli Parliament today approved an essential part of the judicial reform proposed by the Netanyahu government, despite protests from various political and social sectors.
The vote took place after a convulsive session, in which the opposition deputies shouted “What a shame!”, before leaving the room, the government proposal being approved with 64 votes in favor and none against.
The reform determines radical changes that increase the powers of the Government in the judicial field, limiting the ability of the Supreme Court to challenge parliamentary decisions and modifying the way judges are selected.
Netanyahu and his government partners argue that changes are necessary and, from the beginning, have signaled that they would not change their position, despite strong social protests.
The protesters, who represent various sectors of society, see the reform as a power grab fueled by the personal ambitions of Netanyahu, who is on trial in a court case on corruption charges.
At least 19 people were arrested and five were injured today in protests against judicial reform in Israel outside Parliament in Jerusalem, where Netanyahu’s government managed to pass a ‘key piece’ of controversial legislation.
Today’s demonstrations gathered several thousand people in front of the Knesset (Parliament) as the Netanyahu-led coalition government moves forward with legislation to overturn the “reasonableness doctrine”, which until now allowed the Supreme Court to review and overturn government decisions based on whether they were reasonable or not.
Since early morning, the protesters – called by the broad protest movements that have become the most participatory in the country’s history – gathered in a camp in a nearby park, after trying to block the streets and block access to Parliament.
Source: TSF
