Protest leaders dismiss suggestions by members of Netanyahu’s party that they may not allow further legislation to advance without consensus: A ‘smokescreen’ meant to buy quiet
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party on Saturday denied any dissension in its ranks, after several lawmakers indicated they would no longer support the advancement of the government’s judicial overhaul plans without broader consensus.
The comments by the Likud members came days after the Knesset approved the reasonableness law, the first piece of legislation passed as part of the coalition’s push to weaken the judiciary. The law cleared its final reading without the support of any opposition MKs, who boycotted the vote.
Netanyahu has since said he will seek to build consensus before approving further changes to the judicial system, but also pledged the coalition will move forward alone if no deal is reached.
“There is no rebellion in Likud. We all want to reach agreements and need to make the maximum effort to do so, but we will not give the other side a veto,” the ruling party said in a statement.
It also noted Netanyahu has set November as a deadline for talks with the opposition and said the premier would work “with all his strength” toward agreements with widespread buy-in.
Get The Times of Israel’s Daily Edition
by email and never miss our top stories
By signing up, you agree to the terms
But Hebrew media reports suggested there were lingering tensions within the party, with the Kan public broadcaster quoting anonymous Likud MKs criticizing Netanyahu for refusing to say whether he would abide by a High Court ruling striking down the reasonableness law.
“High Court decisions need to be respected, point blank,” they reportedly said.
Composite photo, left to right: MK Eli Dellal at the Knesset in April2023; MK Yuli Edelstein at the Knesset in July 2023; MK David Bitan at the Knesset in July 2023 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Meanwhile, the Ynet news site said Netanyahu has told Justice Minister Yariv Levin — a leading proponent of the overhaul — and other Likud members who want to rush ahead with other legislation “this is the time to calm things down.”
The report also said senior Likud officials denied the remarks Friday were coordinated with Netanyahu.
“This is an attempt by protest leaders to minimize the story and say this is Netanyahu’s spin,” the unnamed officials said. “None of those who spoke was coordinated with Netanyahu.”
Protesters against the overhaul, however, were not buying it and issued a statement agreeing with Likud’s official response.
“The baseless performances by Likud MKs as if they are rebelling is only a smokescreen whose entire function is to buy dictator Netanyahu enough quiet in order to complete his coup,” the Kaplan Force protest movement said in a statement, as anti-government rallies were held nationwide Saturday evening.
The protests have raged since January, when Netanyahu’s then-fresh coalition announced its plans to overhaul the judiciary.
Israelis protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to overhaul the judicial system in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, July 27, 2023. (AP/Ariel Schalit)
Monday’s vote saw lawmakers approve a measure that prevents judges from striking down government and ministerial decisions on the basis they are “unreasonable.” The law was approved by all 64 coalition members — with the entire 56-strong opposition boycotting the vote — despite the sustained mass protests, vehement opposition from top judicial, security, economic and public figures, repeated warnings from allies, chief among them the US, and thousands of Israeli military reservists vowing to quit service.
The government’s critics say removing the standard of reasonability opens the door to corruption and improper appointments of unqualified cronies to important positions.
Many members of the hard-right, religious coalition have called on the government to push ahead with the rest of its judicial overhaul plans, which include giving the ruling majority near-complete power to appoint Israel’s judges, and radically limiting the court’s oversight of legislation.
>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : TimesOfIsrael – https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-denies-any-rebellion-in-its-ranks-over-judicial-overhaul/