Tel Aviv: Israeli President Isaac Herzog has used a rare prime-time speech to warn the country is on the verge of “constitutional and social collapse” over a government plan to reduce the power of the judiciary.
Herzog, known more as reliably dull than alarmist, was speaking of a widespread concern that the change planned by the new government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is so radical that it raises doubts about the future of the country’s democracy, its appeal to foreign investors and ties to its strongest allies.
“The absence of dialogue is tearing us apart from within, and I’m telling you loud and clear: This powder keg is about to explode,” Herzog told the nation. “This is an emergency.”
Tens of thousands have demonstrated weekly against the government’s plans while scores of economists, business leaders, retired security chiefs and legal scholars have all gone on record in opposition.
Shortly after Herzog spoke on Sunday night (Monday AEDT), calling for compromise and dialogue, the heads of the country’s top banks — Hapoalim, Discount, Leumi and Mizrahi — all expressed support for his approach.
Netanyahu and his aides want to increase the government’s role in appointing judges and greatly limit the Supreme Court’s authority to strike down legislation. While they aren’t alone in saying that the high court has too much power, many say the planned remedy is far worse than the problem.
Read the article by Gwen Ackerman in The Sydney Morning Herald.