Netanyahu delays takeoff to Berlin amid reports of judicial overhaul compromise

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s flight, which was supposed to take off at 5 p.m., is delayed until after 10 p.m., according to sources in The Prime Minister’s Office.

Netanyahu has two pressing matters he has been dealing with in the Knesset in Jerusalem today: signs of progress on negotiations over judicial reform and a security incident in the north.

The trip has already been shortened because of the security incident, with his return to Israel brought forward.

Hebrew media says that Netanyahu is currently in the Knesset huddled with senior figures in the coalition including Knesset Law Justice and Constitution Committee chair Simcha Rothman, Shas leader Aryeh Deri, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Education Minister Yoav Kisch.

The Ynet news site says the discussions relate to “tensions in the coalition” ahead of a possible softening of the overhaul proposal.

Earlier, Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich announces he was cutting short his trip to the Americas to take part in talks on a possible compromise on the judicial overhaul.

The plan has sparked widespread protest and opposition from a range of legal, social, business, and international leaders who fear it will harm Israel’s democracy, economy and security.