Hours after suggesting a pause in controversial reform that questions the independence of the judiciary, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was acquitted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A decision that could further polarize the society that has mobilized on the street against the project.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid reacted to the resignation, saying the prime minister “is a threat to the security of the State of Israel”.
“The growing social rift has found its way into institutions [militares] and safety. It is a clear, immediate and concrete threat to Israel’s security,” Gallant said, calling for a month-long suspension of the judicial reform process.
Gallant, a former general and member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, suggested that “major changes at the national level should be brought about through deliberations and dialogue.” Some party members disagreed and asked for his resignation, which eventually happened by decision of the prime minister.
A senior defense official, heard by the Times of Israel, agrees that the country is weakened by division. “The internal situation has become a central element, all those involved point out that Israel is in a serious crisis and, in their opinion, could lead to Israel’s collapse. They see an opportunity. There is damage in the [capacidade de] dissuasion and attacks are planned based on the assumption that Israel is paralyzed,” he said, after also assuring that this view is shared by the military leadership, internal security services (Shin Bet) and Mossad.
The government plans to hold a parliamentary vote this week that will give the coalition the final say on all judicial appointments and the power to overturn Supreme Court decisions.
Source: DN
