Herzog warns of looming ‘societal collapse’
President calls for dialogue over legal reforms.
In an impassioned and heartfelt speech last Sunday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog called for compromise over the government’s plans to overhaul the judicial system, warning of imminent conflict and even potential bloodshed.
Herzog said the country was on the verge of “societal and constitutional collapse” and implored citizens on both sides of the political aisle to refrain from violence.
He said he was deeply concerned over the nature of the government’s reforms, stating that he worried they had the potential to harm “the democratic foundations” of the country. But he said that “change” and “reform” were nevertheless legitimate pursuits, and proposed a five-point plan as a general basis for a compromise agreement.
He particularly called on the chairman of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman, who is orchestrating the legislative push, not to hold a vote on Monday on sending an initial bill to the Knesset plenum for its first vote there as scheduled, but instead to consider his proposals in the committee first.
Rothman and Justice Minister Yariv Levin said on Monday they were willing to meet with opposition leaders without preconditions, but did not agree to pause the legislative efforts while talks were held.
Opposition leaders rejected this proposal, saying it was disingenuous to propose talks while moving full steam ahead with the process.
At least 70,000 people rallied in Jerusalem on Monday as part of a nationwide strike to protest the proposed sweeping changes.
The government is currently advancing legislation that would overhaul the legal system, significantly curbing the High Court of Justice’s power to exercise judicial review, giving the government an automatic majority on the judicial selection committee, allowing lawmakers to overrule court rulings with a bare majority and allowing government ministers to appoint their own legal advisers.
“We are a moment before a confrontation, even a violent confrontation,” said Herzog.
“The powder keg is about to explode, and brothers are about to raise their hands against brothers. I implore each and every one of you – my Israeli brothers and sisters: the threats [to Israel] from outside are big enough. Violence of any kind – and even more so violence against public servants and elected officials – is a red line that we must not cross under any circumstances.”
Change and reform could be legitimate, he contended, and conceded that there is a need for greater diversity in the judiciary, including on the Supreme Court.
“I believe that the sum of all parts of the reform, in its current form, raises deep concerns about their potential negative impact on the democratic foundations of the State of Israel,” asserted Herzog.
“Israel’s courts and judges protect Israeli society and the state, against crime, external [legal] attacks on IDF soldiers, against the loss of the foundations of justice, law and morality, and against the trampling of individual rights.”
He added that “millions of citizens” along with Jews in the Diaspora and supporters of Israel across the world, see the reform as a “real threat” to Israeli democracy.
Herzog said in recent weeks he had met and spoken with leaders from all walks of Israeli life and from every field of expertise, including those in favour and those opposed to the reform package.
“From these long, deep, and comprehensive conversations, I can determine with certainty: We can reach a broad compromise which will put [the good] of Israel’s citizens above any dispute – it is possible,” said the President.
Herzog said his plan was the “basis for an agreement” and appealed to Supreme Court Chief Justice Esther Hayut, Levin and Rothman, “with a request from the bottom of my heart” to “halt the demon dance, start talking … and lower the flames”, claiming that “agreement can be reached in a short time”.
Times of Israel
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