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The Israeli opposition has welcomed Netanyahu’s announcement and has called for “a real and fair dialogue”
27 (EUROPA PRESS)
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has announced on Monday the suspension of the processing of the controversial judicial reform that has provoked massive protests and an unprecedented response in Israel.
“One thing that I am not willing to accept is that there is a minority of extremists who are willing to destroy our country, and drag us into civil war,” he stressed during a speech to the nation, according to the newspaper ‘Haaretz’.
In this sense, he has ruled that his Government “will never accept a civil war” derived from the current political crisis, for which he has announced that the second and third reading of the judicial reform in the Israeli Parliament will be paralyzed until April.
Faced with this serious crisis in Israeli society, Netanyahu has assured that, “out of national responsibility” he will take “time for dialogue”, although he has recalled that “the majority” of his coalition allies support the measure, which will end up being approved sooner or later.
Finally, Netanyahu has called on reservists to stop giving up serving in the Army. “Israel cannot exist without the IDF, and the IDF cannot exist if they deviate,” he indicated, the newspaper ‘The Times of Israel’ has reported.
These events occur after thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the main Israeli cities over the weekend to protest against the dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who on Saturday questioned the reform.
REACTIONS
After Netanyahu’s announcement, the opposition leader of the Israel National Unity Party, Benny Gantz, has welcomed the measure and has assured that “better late than never”, adding that they will start talks with the government on the matter.
“We should not have reached this moment. I am opposed to this government and I will continue to do so, but in matters of national security I will support the correct movements with all my heart,” he indicated, also stressing the need for dialogue between the parties.
For his part, the leader of Yesh Atid, Yair Lapid, has also been in favor of talks with the government. “If the government gets involved in a real and fair dialogue, we will be able to come out of this moment of crisis stronger and more united”, he specified.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has stressed that Netanyahu has made “the right decision” and has called for “sincere, serious and responsible talks that urgently calm things down and put out the flames.” For this, he has offered his official residence “as a space for dialogue” to achieve “the broadest possible agreement” and “remove our beloved Israel from the deep crisis in which he is.”
As for the parties in the coalition led by Netanyahu, the leader of Shas, Aryeh Deri, has backed the “difficult decision” of the prime minister. “I am addressing the opposition leaders again: take advantage of our outstretched hand. Do it for all the citizens of Israel. Our strength is our unity,” he pointed out.
Israeli television Keshet 12 has published the transcript of an alleged meeting of coalition leaders held on Monday morning in which the leader of Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power), Itamar Ben-Gvir, reproached Netanyahu that with his decision he had given victory to the “anarchists”.
“We are going to let the anarchists win (…). If this law is not approved, we are not interested in this government. It is not right-wing,” he said, according to television.
However, the Minister of Justice and main promoter of judicial reform, Yariv Levin, then asked his partners to be “smart”. “We are going to pass this law later, not now. There are Likud people who are against it. I’m not sure we have the 61 (required votes). People want reform and they will have it, but we also have to see what is happening abroad”, he argued, always according to Keshet 12.
INTERNATIONAL SATISFACTION
Internationally, the United States has welcomed the announcement. “It is an opportunity to give more time and space for the agreement and we had precisely asked for agreements,” said the White House spokeswoman, Karine Jean-Pierre.
“Democratic societies are strengthened by checks and balances and fundamental changes in a democratic system must be introduced with the widest possible popular support,” he added.
The United Kingdom has also expressed its support for Netanyahu’s decision. “Respect for the common democratic values that we share is vital,” the British Foreign Affairs Secretary, James Cleverly, published in an official statement. “We urge the parties to seek common ground and a long-term agreement on this highly sensitive issue,” he added.
