Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to temporarily suspend the controversial reform of the country’s judiciary following months of protests and widespread opposition.
The proposed reforms, aimed at limiting the Israeli Supreme Court’s power and enhancing the role of the parliament in judicial appointments, had sparked fears that democracy was being undermined and that the government was seeking too much power. The suspension of the plan followed a day of nationwide protests and a general strike, with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets to oppose the reforms, as reported by CNBC.
Israeli embassies around the world joined the strike, and work was halted at the Haifa and Ashdod ports, Israel’s Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, and the Israeli Leumi Bank.
Netanyahu spoke on television and confirmed his decision, saying he wanted to reach a broad consensus before moving forward. He later confirmed that the plan would be suspended until the next session of the parliament, which reconvenes at the end of April.
“I am taking the time out for dialogue,” said Netanyahu, according to a Sky News translation, per CNBC. “From a will to prevent the rift in the nation, I have decided to delay the second and third reading in order to reach a broad consensus.”
Many who were in opposition were relieved by the decision to suspend action, but others are wary about what comes next.
“I will continue protesting until these reforms are completely dropped, because this isn’t a set of reforms, this is a coup by the executive,” said Eitan Kahana, a demonstrator in Jerusalem, per Reuters.
As part of the agreement, a National Guard will also be set up under Itamar Ben-Gvir, Netanyahu’s hard-right coalition partner and the Minister of National Security. According to reports, some members of his ruling coalition vowed resignation if Netanyahu stopped the legislation. As a result, compromises were made, such as granting control of the National Guard to Ben-Gvir, CNBC reported.
The suspension of the plan was welcomed by opposition leader Yair Lapid and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who believe creating dialogue will help the two sides come to an understanding.
“Dialogue is the right path. I am ready to arrive at the negotiation at the president’s residence with an open heart in order to reach an understanding and I call on Netanyahu to do the same,” said Gantz, per AXIOS Dallas.
