Renegade Likud MK: Netanyahu wanted me to back opposition candiate to judicial panel

Renegade Likud MK Tally Gotliv lashes out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after the Kan public broadcaster reports the premier claimed he would’ve started advanced legislation to change the makeup of the Judicial Selections Committee last week if not for her refusal to bow out of the race for a spot on the panel.

In a tweet, Gotliv also charges that Netanyahu tried to get her to back opposition candidate Karine Elharrar, who ended up winning a place on the committee with some coalition support while Gotliv failed to secure a spot.

“Please assume we’re not all idiots. Your office told me that it doesn’t matter who was chosen anyways because immediately the committee’s structure will be changed when you tried to convince me to vote for [Karine] Elharrar,” Gotliv says.

In response, Likud denies Netanyahu asked Gotliv to vote for Elharrar.

“All that was asked of her was to maintain coalition discipline and remove her candidacy,” the party says.

Additionally, Kan reports that Netanyahu first intends to advance a bill curbing the High Court’s ability to use the doctrine of “reasonableness” to review government decisions. He is then expected to move on to legislation regarding the Judicial Selections Committee, which the broadcaster says won’t be the same as a bill that nearly passed in late March before it was paused for negotiations.