Israeli PM Netanyahu Delays Legal System Overhaul to Avoid 'Civil War' and Enable Dialogue

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Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz welcomed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to delay the overhaul push and said he was ready to engage in genuine talks. Meanwhile, opposition leader Yair Lapid expressed suspicion that Netanyahu was “bluffing” and suggested that the endgame was a new constitution. Labor unions and local councils called off strikes following the announcement, but protests are expected to continue.

The decision by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to postpone the judicial overhaul legislation came after several days of mass protests across the country, including in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa. The proposed legislation would have given the Israeli government greater control over the judiciary and weakened the powers of the country’s Supreme Court.

Critics of the legislation argue that it would undermine the rule of law and damage Israel’s democracy, which is already under strain due to ongoing political instability and a polarized public. The move to postpone the legislation is seen as a significant victory for democracy and the rule of law in Israel, with many Israelis taking to the streets to express their opposition to the government’s plans.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly welcomed the decision to postpone the legislation, stating that it was essential that democratic values are upheld and that a robust system of checks and balances is maintained. He called on all parties to engage in genuine and serious talks to address the underlying issues that have led to the protests.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog also praised the decision to postpone the legislation, saying that it was the right thing to do and called for calm and constructive dialogue to resolve the situation. He stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting Israel’s democracy.

The postponement of the legislation comes at a time of growing political uncertainty in Israel, with the current coalition government struggling to maintain its majority in the Knesset. Two recent opinion polls suggest that the coalition of right-wing, far-right, and ultra-Orthodox parties is losing support, with Benny Gantz’s National Unity party gaining around 10 Knesset seats.

The political situation in Israel is likely to remain volatile in the coming weeks and months, with ongoing tensions between the government and opposition groups, and concerns over the country’s future direction. However, the decision to postpone the judicial overhaul legislation is a positive step towards safeguarding democracy and the rule of law in Israel.