Israel's President warns Israel on the brink of 'constitutional collapse'

Feb 13, 2023

World
Israel's President warns Israel on the brink of 'constitutional collapse'

Tel Aviv [Israel], February 13: Israel 's President Isaac Herzog hinted on Tuesday of a plan to save the country from falling into violence and "constitutional collapse" caused by a controversial judicial overhaul by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Netanyahu caused.
"We are on the brink of constitutional and social collapse. I feel - and we all feel - that we are seconds away from a violent collision, even a moment's collision. a violent collision," Herzog said in a rare televised address during prime time on February 12.
In his speech, President Herzog called on lawmakers in the governing coalition to postpone steps in parliament that some had planned to begin this week.
In response, Justice Minister Yariv Levin poured cold water on the idea. Mr. Levin said while he was not opposed to dialogue, it "shouldn't be related to progress in legal proceedings".
The centre-left opposition led by former Prime Minister YairLapid has accused Mr Netanyahu of seeking more control of the court system, even though the prime minister himself was a key figure in the corruption trial. The opposition is also planning to hold protests and call for a nationwide protest strike at the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) on February 13.
Prime Minister Netanyahu - who denied wrongdoing during the trial - said the reform was aimed at restoring balance between the Israeli authorities .
President Herzog also called for immediate negotiations between the government and the opposition based on five principles. These principles would include legislating a process that enacts fundamental laws in accordance with Israel 's constitutional standards and prevents any Supreme Court interference with them.
Another principle would more clearly define the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, which the Netanyahu government accuses of being overstepped. President Herzog also called for a reform of the judge selection committee.
The head of the opposition, Mr Lapid, said that President Herzog's proposal was a worthy one. However, Mr Lapid also insisted that until a consensus is reached, "the struggle will not stop and the protest will not stop".
Legal experts, economists, former economic and security officials, including those close to Netanyahu, have warned that the Israeli government's judicial proposals could have dire consequences. diplomatic and economic importance.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper