Israeli President: We are on the brink of a civil war, and I propose a compromise solution on the reform of the judiciary

Protests in Israel. Photograph. Abir Sultan Pop/EPA

“Anyone who thinks there can’t be a civil war doesn’t know what they’re talking about.” Hercock warned. The president said he had recently spoken to “thousands of Israelis” on both sides of the conflict and that “in his wildest dreams” he could not have imagined the “shocking rhetoric and genuine hatred” he encountered. Minority people he interacted with.

The current deep crisis is a unique, historic opportunity for reform “A wise, balanced, constitutional system” governments,” Hercock emphasized.

My plan is a compromise solution aimed at preventing either side from winning “If one side wins, Israel loses” – said the President.

A plan to reform the judiciary, put forward by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s cabinet in early January, is seen as an attempt to strengthen legislative and executive powers at the expense of the judiciary. Among other things it envisions increased government control over the process of selecting judges, as well as the ability to overturn Supreme Court rulings by a 61-vote majority in Israel’s 120-seat unicameral parliament, the Knesset.

The reform plans have sparked weeks of protests in the streets of Israeli cities, sometimes in the form of violent clashes with police

Hercock’s counterproposal includes: Changes to the system of appointing judges to ensure balance between the various branches of power. Another aspect is the strengthening of the status of the Fundamental Laws as functionally equivalent to the Constitution, which, once passed by a qualified majority in the Knesset, is no longer subject to review by the Supreme Court. However, this tribunal will retain the right to rule on the constitutionality of the remaining laws.

In the Israeli political system, the president plays a mainly ceremonial role.

Netanyahu rejected Hercog’s proposal shortly after the announcement. The plan “does not agree with the governing coalition, perpetuates the status quo, and fails to achieve the necessary balance between the different branches of power,” the Israeli prime minister said Wednesday evening, as quoted by the Times of Israel.

The current Netanyahu government has been in power since late 2022. The coalition backing him includes right-wing, ultra-nationalist and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties that won Knesset elections in November. Netanyahu was previously prime minister; He ruled Israel for 15 years. (PAP)

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