From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Opposition chiefs lambaste Smotrich call for dialogue while ‘destroying democracy’
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Opposition leaders dismiss Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s call for dialogue, saying this can only happen if the coalition halts the judicial overhaul legislative process and stops trying to cause “destruction.”
“To those who didn’t understand the truth between all of Smotrich and [MK Simcha] Rothman’s lies: They are continuing with the legislation,” says Opposition Leader Yair Lapid.
“Continuing to destroy the economy, dismantle the IDF, threaten to not obey court orders, destroying democracy, tearing apart the people, but refusing to take responsibility for their actions and only blaming others. They aren’t just dangerous, they’re also cowards.”
National Unity party leader Benny Gantz accuses Smotrich and Rothman of “hypocrisy” by calling for dialogue “while they’re carrying out the destruction of the justice system.”
He adds: “The destruction is on your head, on [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s head. Stop everything and we’ll talk tonight.”
Labor party chief Merav Michaeli says Smotrich “thinks the public is stupid; he’s leading Israel to a messianic, dangerous dictatorship and he wants us to applaud him.
“It won’t work for you this time. The protest will get stronger and stronger until your dangerous and anti-democratic legislative blitz is thrown into the trash can.”
The Times of Israel Community.