Levin pumps up crowd, says compromise on overhaul possible

Justice Minister Yariv Levin takes the stage to wild cheers as music pumps out of the speakers and a cool wind begins to pick up.

The crowd chants that it wants the judicial reform.

“The nation voted for a judicial reform,” he says as the crowd erupts, and boos when he mentions the Supreme Court.

But he also mentions support for compromise talks, seemingly rebuffing those calling for the judicial overhaul to be passed as is.

“I’m convinced that we can reach a fix and agreement,” he says. “We want a Supreme Court for everyone.”

“We are told that if the reform passes, there’ll be a dictatorship,” he tells the crowd. “There is no greater lie than this. Show me one democracy where legal advisers make decisions instead of the government,” he adds, referring to a part of the overhaul package which will allow ministers to appoint their own legal counsel, to avoid having to deal with legal opinions from someone other than a trusted ideological compatriot.

He adds that he wants a court that defends the lives of Israeli soldiers, not the lives of terrorists or rapists.

“The attacks only strengthen me,” he says to cheers, pledging that he will continue to do whatever he can to see the judicial changes through.