Labor chief Michaeli says calls for negotiation over legal shakeup are a ‘trap’

Labor party leader Merav Michaeli says proposals for negotiations with the coalition to change the contours of its judicial overhaul plan are a “trap.”

“Unfortunately, the word ‘negotiation’ is a trap,” Michaeli says at a joint press conference held by Zionist opposition party leaders. Michaeli accuses the coalition of “trying to cause us to silence the thousands” who are protesting the reform plan, “by using the word ‘negotiation'” as a false enticement.

Last night, President Isaac Herzog called for discussion and negotiation between the coalition and the opposition, although Justice Minister Yariv Levin has rebuffed requests to halt the legislative blitz during these talks.

Other opposition members, including Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid, have said they would be for meaningful negotiation, with a legislative pause as a precondition.

“There’s an alternative to the trap they’re setting for us… we’ll increase protest until they come to justice,” Michaeli says, adding that “we won’t let them take our democracy.”