Knesset opposition parties say they will work together to combat judicial overhaul agenda

In a joint statement, the heads of the Knesset opposition parties announce that going forward, they will fully coordinate their actions in order to combat the government’s judicial overhaul agenda.

“Following a joint discussion by the chairmen of the opposition factions, it was decided that the opposition will act with the full cooperation of all its members of the Knesset, and will resolutely fight the judicial coup legislation led by the coalition,” the statement reads.

“This government is undermining the foundations of democracy – and the entire opposition will stand like a wall against it, until every attempt to turn Israel into a dictatorship is stopped.”

The coordination of activity is not limited to the opposition’s Zionist factions, which often work together, but also includes the Islamist Ra’am, or United Arab List, party and the Arab-majority Hadash-Ta’al party.

The statement comes as lawmakers debate a controversial bill that would greatly increase political control over the judicial appointments process.

In a separate statement, National Unity party chairman Benny Gantz calls on Israelis to protest outside the Knesset this evening, ahead of the final two readings needed for the legislation’s passage.

“Today, a year and a half after the greatest disaster in the history of the state, what [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and [Justice Minister Yariv] Levin are dealing with is not returning the hostages but bringing back the judicial coup,” he says.

“Today in the Knesset, they want to pass the law to politicize the judicial selection committee. During such days, even when it’s difficult, we must not lose hope – we must all come out and make our voices heard,” he continues, calling on people to gather in front of the Knesset at 7 p.m.