Opposition brass puts kibosh on overhaul talks without legislative freeze

Formally responding to President Isaac Herzog’s announcement that a framework agreement on judicial reform is “closer than ever,” opposition party leaders Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz reaffirm in a joint statement their stance that the coalition must first halt its legislative march before dialogue can take place.

“We greatly respect and appreciate the efforts of the president to engage in dialogue and reach broad agreements,” Yesh Atid’s Lapid and National Unity’s Gantz write. “But in order to have honest and effective dialogue that will lead to preserving democracy and national unity, [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu must announce a complete, comprehensive, and actual halt to the legislative process.”

They add that previous calls to pause legislating and engage in talks “were trampled upon and met with refusal.”

“All attempts at shortcuts are a violation of real communication,” the two conclude.