Netanyahu said pressuring Levin to compromise on judicial reform

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met with Justice Minister Yariv Levin three times in recent days in a bid to press him to compromise on the judicial overhaul that has sparked widespread opposition, Channel 12 reports.

Netanyahu met with Levin on Friday, Sunday, and yesterday, urging him to compromise as soon as possible, warning that the focus on the reforms was harming the government on the diplomatic, economic, and internal fronts, the report says, noting that Netanyahu, who is barred from being involved in the reform, did not suggest specific compromises.

The report says that Levin is resisting pressure to soften the legislation, vowing that he won’t give up on key components like government control over appointing justices. He is also refusing to halt the legislative process for talks.

The report says there is mounting pressure from other Likud MKs to compromise, noting the party’s fall in recent polls and widespread protests.

The Likud issues a statement calling the report on the meetings “incorrect.”

Meanwhile, Channel 12 also quotes sources close to Levin as saying that he favorably views a compromise proposal presented by former justice minister Daniel Friedmann, former National Security Council chief Giora Eiland and others.

The report says the proposal calls for an equal representation of judges and members of the ruling coalition on the judicial selection panel; if there is no agreement, one person is appointed from each side.

It also says laws can be struck down if 11 of 15 Supreme Court judges agree and Basic Laws can be changed only if 61 MKs vote for it in two successive Knessets, or if 70 MKs do in a current Knesset.

The proposal also reportedly says the so-called override proposals can only allow the Knesset to re-legislate laws struck down by the court if 65 MKs agree.