Netanyahu suspends judicial overhaul after day of Israeli turmoil

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suspended a petition to sign Israeli judicial reforms. It came after a period of nationwide turmoil as workers took part in a general strike against the proposal and hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets.

His nationalist religious coalition plan to give Congress the power to overturn Supreme Court rulings while handing over control of judicial appointments to the executive branch has sparked one of the greatest internal crises in Israeli history. rice field.

Prime Minister Netanyahu announced late Monday his decision to suspend plans until parliament returns after next month’s Passover and Independence Day breaks, and the crisis requires all sides to act responsibly. requested to do

“Israeli society is on a path of dangerous conflict. We are in the midst of a crisis that jeopardizes the fundamental unity between us,” he said in a primetime televised address. Told.

As he delivered his speech, large crowds gathered in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and massive demonstrations were held against Overhaul’s right-wing supporters. It caused fear, but the night passed without reports of major violence.

Netanyahu and his supporters argue that the plan would ensure a proper balance between an elected government and the judiciary and not jeopardize the rights of individuals or minorities. has attracted persistent and fierce opposition.

For months, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other cities to protest projects they accuse of undermining the checks and balances that protect Israeli democracy.

Netanyahu, who is currently on trial for corruption charges, which he denies, has previously promised that the overhaul would not pose a threat to individual rights, but none of its essential elements There was no sign of giving way.

The decision to suspend the overhaul follows a special weekend when Defense Minister Joav Gallant was sacked after warning that the division caused by the plan was affecting the military and threatening national security.

Netanyahu’s sacking of him led thousands to take to the streets and Israeli President Isaac Herzog called for a stop.

The Histadroot trade union organization called a general strike, with flights from Ben Gurion Airport suspended and businesses from banks to McDonald’s fast food outlets closed.

The early rally in Israel’s shekel currency stalled after Netanyahu suspended an overhaul due to uncertainty over its ultimate fate.

With Israel facing a protracted security crisis in the occupied West Bank and tensions with Iran mounting, Gallant’s dismissal seemed many signs that the government had set aside national interests.

The opposition cautiously welcomed Netanyahu’s decision to suspend the overhaul to give time to reach an agreement, but many protesters remained in disbelief.

“Until these reforms are completely withdrawn, I will continue to protest, because this is not a series of reforms, but an administrative coup.”

Even within his own coalition, there have been some misfortunes, with hardline Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declaring the decision to suspend overhauls to be a mistake, but pledging to accept the prime minister’s decision.

Arab broadcasters have continued to report on the Israeli crisis, with some Arabs saying they hope it will lead to Netanyahu’s political demise, while others say it will have broader consequences for Israel. expressed hope for

The United States welcomed Netanyahu’s actions.

Reported by James Mackenzie.Editing by Howard Goller

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