From the Liveblog of
Monday, July 24, 2023
As vote nears, Gantz says he knows ‘for fact’ a majority of MKs oppose overhaul bill
Carrie Keller-Lynn is a former political and legal correspondent for The Times of Israel
National Unity leader Benny Gantz insisters there are coalition lawmakers against the bill to cancel judicial oversight over the “reasonableness” of senior politician decisions.
“There’s a majority in this auditorium, and I know this for a fact, that doesn’t want this result,” Gantz says.
The National Unity party leader warns that the legislation, if passed in the Knesset votes scheduled today, will harm Israel’s democratic foundations, economy, and security.
“I’m very bothered by the security situation and what we broadcast to our enemies,” adds Gantz, a former defense minister and military chief.
Yesterday Gantz received a special briefing from IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi on military readiness, given the large number of reservists who say they will opt out of voluntary duty to protest the judicial overhaul.
Gantz encourages the coalition to pause the legislation and return to judicial reform talks being mediated by President Isaac Herzog, but alleges “there are forces in the coalition that don’t want an agreement, they want a fight.”
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi interrupts Gantz, shouting: “You blew up the talks at the President’s Residence.”
