Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that the government would “take practical steps to reform the judicial system,” as quoted by the Yediot Ahronot newspaper.
Netanyahu stated that these steps will be taken “responsibly and in a measured manner” but “in line with the mandate they have received”.
“The negotiations for three months were a farce”
Blaming the opposition for the inconclusive negotiations with the opposition wing on the controversial judicial arrangement that has been causing protests in the country for months, Netanyahu said, “(Benny) Gantz and (Yair) Lapid have proven to be playing games with me. The talks that took place over three months were a farce, their aim was to play for time.” used the phrases.
Opposition to Netanyahu
On the other hand, former prime minister and new opposition leader Yair Lapid reacted to Netanyahu’s statement.
Lapid, in a statement on his Twitter account, said:
“If Netanyahu continues this unilateral judicial arrangement as he has proclaimed, he will see less than half of Israel, less than half of Israel’s economy, less than half of its security, and less than half of the House as prime minister.”
Postponed judicial regulation
The “judicial reform” announced by Israeli Minister of Justice Yariv Levin on January 5 includes changes such as limiting the powers of the Supreme Court and the power to have a say in judicial appointments.
Netanyahu announced on March 27 that he postponed the judicial regulation, which caused increasing mass protests and strikes across the country.
However, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that they would bring the judicial regulation back to the Parliament after the 2023-2024 budget was passed by the Parliament last month.