‘Serious’ overhaul negotiation session focuses on makeup of judge selection panel

The President’s Residence says coalition and opposition teams have concluded today’s discussions on a compromise version of the government’s contentious judicial overhaul plan, saying the sides have started discussing “core issues,” starting with the flashpoint issue of the makeup of the Judicial Selection Committee.

The coalition bill on the matter would hand the government complete control over the appointment of most judges, including Supreme Court justices, which the opposition says would erode the justice system’s independence and remove a critical check on the government’s power. The committee currently provides a mutual veto over Supreme Court picks to politicians and representatives of the court.

Today’s discussions were held “in a positive, professional and serious atmosphere, and the sides are committed to continuing the dialogue with the goal of reaching agreements,” President Isaac Herzog’s office says.

Coalition representative Hanoch Milwidsky, a Likud lawmaker, says: “There is much to work on, but there are also partners to work with. The optimism I voiced after the previous discussion still stands, believe it or not.”

However, Walla quotes unnamed sources who took part in the talks as saying: “There was serious discussion, but the sides are far from agreement.”

The opposition Yesh Atid and National Unity parties release a joint statement stressing “the need to reach wide agreement while preserving all principles of democracy, on which we will not compromise.”