Netanyahu says he’s determined to reach judicial overhaul by consensus

Speaking to the US Democracy summit, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismisses concerns that his judicial overhaul will undermine democracy in Israel and says he is determined to find an agreement by consensus.

Netanyahu ordered a pause to legislation to allow talks with the opposition amid widespread protest across the country and from international leaders, including US President Joe Biden.

“You may have noticed Israel is undergoing, in its robust democracy, a very intensive public debate. And the debate is how do we ensure a proper democracy,” Netanyahu says.

“Democracy means the will of the people as expressed by a majority and it also means protection of civil rights, individual rights. It’s the balance between the two,” he says.

“I think that balance can be achieved. And that’s why I’ve promoted a pause that now enables both the opposition and the coalition to sit down and try to achieve a broad national consensus to achieve both goals,” he says. “And I believe this is possible. We’re now engaged in exactly this conversation.”

He adds: “We have to move from protest to agreement, and that’s where I want to get.”