Smotrich says coalition will ‘God willing’ approve the ‘reasonableness’ bill tomorrow

Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting of his Religious Zionism party at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, July 17, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting of his Religious Zionism party at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, July 17, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

At a mass rally of coalition supporters in Tel Aviv, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says the coalition will “God willing” approve the government’s bill to drastically limit the High Court’s use of the reasonableness standard, but adds the government is also “willing to listen” to those who oppose it.

“We are continuing with this legislation because it is the essence of democracy, and, in parallel, we are trying to find a path to dialogue,” Smotrich, who heads the far-right Religious Zionism party, says in a speech that is both conciliatory and also stresses determination to pass sweeping legal changes.

“Tomorrow, God willing, in the Knesset of Israel, we will pass with a large majority the reasonableness amendment law, which will allow the Israeli government and officials who are elected by the people to implement policies and strengthen the State of Israel, the security of Israel, the economy of Israel, and the Jewish identity of the country,” continues Smotrich.

Addressing the opponents of the judicial overhaul, the finance minister says he empathizes with “your pain, your true fear and fright for the State of Israel,” since, he explained, he felt similar feelings that the government was not listening to him when the Oslo Accords were signed and the disengagement from Gaza was carried out.

“I promise to behave differently, to listen, to speak, to make much effort to ensure we remain one people,” says the ultra-nationalist minister.

“I say to you now about the future, that in order for us to continue to live here together in the State of Israel, we are ready for a true dialogue with an open and willing heart and with a readiness to compromise and concede on all sides so that, at the end of the day, we can calm things down and continue the Zionist effort to protect our country, which we all love and care for, together.”

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