ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 61

search

Gantz lays out conditions for talks with government on judicial overhaul

Carrie Keller-Lynn is a political and legal correspondent for The Times of Israel

Leader of the National Unity Party MK Benny Gantz speaks during a faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on February 6, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Leader of the National Unity Party MK Benny Gantz speaks during a faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on February 6, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

National Unity party leader Benny Gantz spells out his conditions for dialogue on the government’s judicial overhaul plans, repeating an offer to negotiate repeatedly rebuffed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

Speaking at the start of his party’s Knesset faction meeting, Gantz says that the current rapid legislative process must be paused, that discussion should include “promoting comprehensive legislation and Basic Law legislation, with an emphasis on assistance to citizens,” and a pledge to “oppose the politicization of the choice of gatekeepers and judges.”

“There can’t be a situation in which one committee is fomenting a coup, while alongside it there is a ‘cosmetic committee’ holding idle discussions in order to silence the protests,” Gantz adds.

Gantz, who has previously suggested creating a cross-Knesset working group to shape judicial reform, is alone within the opposition in making such an offer. While Yisrael Beytenu’s and Labor’s leaders completely reject talks, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid has requested that President Isaac Herzog form an impartial panel on the matter.

Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.