Likud denies there are cracks in its ranks over overhaul; protest movement agrees

After several Likud lawmakers indicated Friday that they will no longer allow the coalition to bulldoze further judicial overhaul laws through the legislature, the party issues a statement denying that there are any cracks in the ranks of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party.

“There is no rebellion,” the party says. “Everyone wants to reach understandings [with the other side on judicial reform], and a maximum effort should be exerted toward that goal while not granting a veto to the other side.”

The statement notes that on the one hand, Netanyahu bucked those saying that the coalition should not pass the reasonableness bill earlier this week. On the other hand, he bucked those in the party who called for the immediate advancement of the rest of the overhaul legislation by agreeing to hold off on the process until November in order to hold talks with the opposition.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu will work with all his might to lead the continuation of the legislation with as broad of an agreement as possible in the future as well,” Likud adds.

Meanwhile, the Kaplan Force protest movement issues a statement calling the supposed internal rebellions a “smoke screen whose entire function is to buy dictator Netanyahu enough quiet in order to complete his coup.”