JERUSALEM — Israel’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, called on Saturday night for his government to suspend a controversial plan to overhaul the country’s justice system, citing the turmoil it has caused caused in Israeli society and the military has become a threat to Israel’s national security.
“The rift in our society is widening and penetrating the Israel Defense Forces,” Gallant said in a televised address. This is a clear, immediate and tangible danger to the security of the state. I will not participate in this.”
Mr Gallant’s announcement set the stage for what is believed to be one of the most dramatic weeks in Israeli history. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right ruling coalition, which holds a majority with just four seats, is expected to hold a final vote in Parliament early next week on the first step of its overhaul plan. himself: a bill that would give the government more power. control appointments to the Supreme Court.
The government’s proposal led to weeks of mass protests, which lasted until Saturday night; warning about political violence and civil war; And unrest in the army, especially among the reservists. Thousands of reservists said they would not report volunteering if an overhaul took place or had withdrawn from service.
Mr Gallant was the first minister to break ranks and call for a freeze on legislation. His intervention has raised questions about whether enough like-minded governing legislators will now follow suit and block Parliament’s passage of legislation. Two other ruling lawmakers, David Bitan and Yuli Edelstein, were quick to tweet in support of Mr Gallant, and several others are also said to be hesitant.
However, most ruling lawmakers remain staunchly supportive of the proposal, which they say would promote democracy by giving the elected government priority over unelected judges. But critics fear the measure will blunt one of Israel’s few checks for excessive government transgression, potentially paving the way for authoritarian rule.
Mr Gallant said he broadly supports judicial reform but feels that the current proposals have proved too divisive and should be paused to allow dialogue during the following month of religious holidays and nation.
“For the security of Israel, for our daughter and son, we must stop the legislative process at this time — and allow the nation of Israel to celebrate Passover and Independence Day,” said Gallant. speak.
Mr Gallant’s intervention came after the army chief of staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, warned that the number of reservists reporting for duty this month had fallen to such an extent that the army was about to cut its range. certain activities.
The military’s top command is also concerned about the possibility of the resignation of full-time soldiers.
The Army has declined to make public the full report on the drop in reservists reported for this month’s mission. But it confirmed that 200 reserve pilots – a significant percentage of the Israeli Air Force pilots, although not the majority – signed a letter on Friday saying, in protest judicial proposal, they will not report duty for two weeks.
Carol Sutherland contributed reporting from Moshav Ben Ami, Israel.
