Netanyahu says government has ‘clear mandate’ to pursue judicial reforms

Defending the sweeping judicial reform platform his Likud party is advancing, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the recent elections delivered his coalition a mandate to pursue the changes, which he says will create a proper balance between judicial and political authorities.

“What we’re trying to do is return Israel to the correct balance” between political and judicial authorities, Netanyahu says, claiming that his government’s reforms will make Israel’s division of powers more similar to those found in the United States and European countries. The multi-point plan for increasing political power over the judiciary “doesn’t destroy democracy,” but rather “rehabilitates” it, he says.

Speaking at the outset of Likud’s Monday Knesset faction meeting, Netanyahu adds that “we received a clear mandate from the public to execute” plans his coalition previewed during elections, including judicial reform. “We are not afraid of the one-sided media campaign against us,” says the premier.