Prime Minister Netanyahu accused of corruption
Promote the processing of the ‘law to neutralize the judiciary’ next month, as criticism grows, “some modifications, processing postponed”
Opposition “retreat trick to seize the judiciary”… Defense Minister also objected to “resignation when the bill is enforced”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the “strong man of the Middle East,” who re-elected to power at the end of December last year, took a step back by delaying the deadline for processing the “law to neutralize the judiciary,” which he had pursued right after taking office, and to revise some of its contents. Amidst strong criticism that this bill is a’bulletproof legislation’ for the person accused of corruption and harms the basis of the separation of powers, as criticism from inside and outside escalated, such as expressing concern even to his ally, US President Joe Biden, the ‘one step’ I chose to retreat.
However, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s side adhered to the meaning of “the deadline for processing has been delayed, but the legislation is enforced.” Opposition is emerging even within the coalition government led by Prime Minister Netanyahu. The opposition parties also predicted constitutional petitions and large-scale anti-government protests, so confusion surrounding them is expected to be extreme for the time being.
According to Reuters, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced in a statement on the 20th that he would revise some of the bills to neutralize the judiciary proposed by the far-right coalition led by him, and also postpone the existing deadline for passing until the 2nd of next month. President Biden said on the 19th, “This bill does not conform to democracy. It has been a day since the warning message to the effect of “compromising with the opposition” was sent.
The core of the bill, announced by the Netanyahu regime in early January this year, is the reduction of the judiciary’s influence. First of all, if the majority of the parliament (61 seats) agree, the final decision of the Supreme Court can be overturned. It also removed the power of the Supreme Court to examine whether laws made by Congress conform to the Constitution. The 11-member Supreme Court Justice Recommendation Committee also made sure that the majority (seven) were members of the Cabinet and the ruling party. In fact, it is evaluated that he has blatantly revealed his intention to appoint a judge who suits the taste of the government.
On this day, the Netanyahu regime took a step back only in the area of appointing judges. Previously, the number of judges recommended by the opposition parties was only 1 out of 11, but it was decided to increase this to 2. It was also decided to delay the processing of the Supreme Court’s ban on reviewing the legitimacy of laws made by Congress and various measures by the executive branch.
Opposition parties are criticizing it as a “tricky retreat” saying that the essence of the bill has not changed despite some amendments. Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition, harshly criticized the amendment, saying, “The amendment contains more malicious intent to seize the judiciary.” If the bill passes the House, he said he would counter it by filing a constitutional complaint with the Supreme Court.
Opposition within the coalition government is also unusual. Local media reported that Defense Minister Yoav Galland, a member of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ruling Likud Party, recently conveyed his position to the Prime Minister, saying, “It will be difficult for me to fulfill my ministerial duties if I continue to pursue the current bill.”
Minister Galland is the first person in the coalition to mention his intention to resign over the legislation to neutralize the judiciary. This is interpreted as a move conscious of the fact that some reservists from the Air Force, Navy and Special Forces criticize Prime Minister Netanyahu as a “dictator” and oppose the enforcement of the bill in all directions.
Even the nominal head of state, President Yitzhak Herzog, emphasized compromise and compromise through a TV speech on the 15th, but Prime Minister Netanyahu’s side is not budging.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is known for his far-right Jewish nationalist, pro-American, and anti-Iranian lines. He is the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli constitutional history, and this is his third term. He served as Prime Minister for the first time from 1996 to 1999, and then again from 2009 to 2021. Afterwards, he was removed from office for various corruption charges by his wife and family, as well as himself, but won the general election at the end of last year and took office for the third time. If the bill goes into effect, it will be virtually impossible to remove Netanyahu from office if he is found guilty of corruption.
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.