Announcement to halt divisive judicial overhaul welcomed
Local community leaders have welcomed the announcement that the Israeli government will pause the proposed legislative overhaul of Israel's judicial system.
Local community leaders have welcomed the announcement that the Israeli government will pause the proposed legislative overhaul of Israel’s judicial system after protests threatened to cripple the nation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to fire his defence minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday for breaking ranks and calling for a halt in the government’s controversial plans triggered angry mass demonstrations and strike action across Israel. From Ben Gurion Airport, to shops, banks and even hospitals, Israelis watched as services around them shut down.
The chaotic scenes prompted President Isaac Herzog to call on Netanyahu to stop the legislative process immediately “for the sake of the unity of the people of Israel”, with the Prime Minister eventually announcing he would delay the divisive judicial overhaul push to prevent “a rupture among our people”.
In a televised statement, Netanyahu said, “I am aware of the enormous tension that is building … between two parts of the nation, and I am attentive to the desire of many citizens to dispel this tension”, but also claimed there is an “extremist minority” that is “tearing Israel apart” and pushing for civil war.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the Zionist Federation of Australia welcomed the announcement by Israeli opposition leaders that they will engage in negotiations with the government.
“Our consistent and strongly-held position is that substantial reforms such as these should be undertaken carefully, with as much negotiation and consensus-building as possible,” the representative roof bodies of the Australian Jewish community said in a joint statement.
“We have watched with concern as Israeli society has been riven on this issue. We have been in awe of the hundreds of thousands of Israelis from across the political divide and from many sectors who have come together to protest week after week. We have watched them protest peacefully, with a deep love of country. We believe the same love for Israel is shared by those who support the judicial overhaul.
“We urge all parties and sectors of Israeli society to come together now, out of their shared love of country, to find mutual compromises, to build consensus and to enact reforms that the overwhelming majority of Israelis will support both now and into the future to sustain the reality of Israel as a democratic, Jewish State that respects the rule of law.
“Israeli society and its political system have been severely challenged over these past few months, and have demonstrated their strength and resilience. Now is the time for each side to acknowledge the genuine concerns of the other, and to seek a way forward in a spirit of compromise.”
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council national chairman Mark Leibler and executive director Dr Colin Rubenstein said, “We believe Mr Netanyahu has now taken the responsible course of action.
“There is a strong case for limited reform of the legal system, but it is important that such fundamental reform is carried out in a way that avoids any perceptions of overreach and minimises societal division.
“The events of the past months have shown how passionate Israelis are about their country, and, once again, demonstrated the underlying strength and vibrancy of Israeli democracy.
“We trust that the eventual outcome will be one that further enhances Israel’s democratic systems of governance.”
Zionism Victoria President Yossi Goldfarb said, “It has been deeply disturbing and alarming to witness the discord and unrest in Israel over recent weeks.
“With the demonstrations in Israel turning increasingly violent, there is certainly some relief that Mr Netanyahu has now agreed to pause his program of reform pending talks with those who feel they threaten Israel’s founding democratic principles.”
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