Gantz urges Netanyahu to ‘show responsibility,’ hold talks based on Herzog proposal

National Unity party leader Benny Gantz says that President Isaac Herzog’s judicial reform proposal “is not the ideal framework, but it is a realistic framework,” adding that five of the opposition’s six parties have decided to stand behind it.

The majority Arab Hadash-Ta’al party, which has largely stayed out of the judicial overhaul fray, was not a part of the opposition press conference.

Gantz calls on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “show responsibility” and engage in dialogue based on the framework, which the premier and fellow government leaders have already resoundingly rejected.

A week away from Ramadan and days after a suspected Lebanese terrorist infiltrated Israel and carried out an explosive attack, Gantz says that Israel’s security concerns require unity.

“We can’t show weakness,” he says, adding that it’s time for Israel to circle the wagons.

Gantz adds that if the reform were to pass, Israel would no longer be a liberal democracy and “every citizen’s” civil rights and liberties would be in danger.

“It is a recipe for destroying all of the Zionist infrastructure,” he adds.