Senior politicians break with Netanyahu on Judicial Reform
Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant, a former IDF general, has broken with his own party, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party, and said that he cannot support the government’s judicial reform program.
Gallant cited the growing rift in Israeli society over the reform plan and increased threats by IDF reservists not to perform military service in protest over the plan as his reasons.
Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu (R) with MK Yoav Galant, now Defence Minister, (L) during a faction meeting at the Knesset, Nov 15, 2021. Photo by Shalev Shalom/TPS
“As the Minister of Defence, I say clearly – the growing rift in society is penetrating into the IDF. This is a clear, immediate and tangible danger to the security of the state. I will not give my hand to this thing,” he said.
In a call for dialogue with the opposition, Gallant added, “In the last days and weeks, I presented the security situation, reasoned and clarified – for the sake of Israel’s security, for the sake of our sons and daughters: at this time, we must stop the legislative process and reach out for negotiations.”
“We need to stop the demonstrations and protests – and reach out for dialogue. Any display of reluctance that eats away at the power of the IDF should be stopped.”
But Gallant also declared his agreement with the government that there is a need for some sort of judicial reform in Israel saying, “The web of relations between the judiciary, and the government and the Knesset requires balance. This will strengthen democracy and increase public trust.”
As of now, three other Likud Knesset members joined Gallant in declaring they will not vote for the reform plan in the Knesset. The loss of these four votes deprives Netanyahu of the majority needed to pass his judicial reform plan.
Former Speaker of the Knesset and a senior member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud Party member of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein joined Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant in a call to suspend the legislative process of passing the government’s judicial reform plan and to hold a dialogue with the opposition in order to find a compromise. The two both said their decision was in response to the massive opposition in Israel to the government’s plan.
“I thank my friend, Minister of Defense Yoav Galant, who joined the path I have been leading for weeks,” said Edelstein.
But he also acknowledged the need for judicial reform in Israel – as did Gallant – saying, “The majority of the people want and understand the need for changes in the judicial system, but this must be done with patience, dialogue, and broad discourse in order to reach a broad consensus.”
“The State of Israel is strong and will continue to be strong – together,” declared Edelstein.
As of now, four Likud Knesset members joined Gallant in declaring they will not vote for the reform plan in the Knesset. The loss of these four votes deprives Netanyahu of the majority needed to pass his judicial reform plan.
AAP/TPS
