Israel president says judicial reform must stop 'immediately'

Tel Aviv: Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday called for an immediate halt to the government’s controversial judicial reform, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked his defence minister for similar demands.

Herzog, who holds a largely ceremonial role, made the call on Twitter following large demonstrations in Tel Aviv overnight, where protesters said the reform project threatens Israel’s democracy.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s plan would allow parliament to overturn Supreme Court decisions and give his parliamentary coalition the final say over all judicial appointments.

Netanyahu’s allies say the plan is needed to curb what they claim are excessive powers of unelected judges. Their opponents say it would destroy the country’s system of checks and balances by concentrating power in the hands of Netanyahu and his ruling coalition. They also say Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, has a conflict of interest.

Herzog’s proposal offered incentives to both sides. Parliament would not be able to overturn Supreme Court rulings. But judges would not be allowed to overturn major legislation known as “Basic Laws,” which serve as a sort of constitution. Basic Laws, however, would require a parliamentary supermajority, instead of a simple majority, to pass.

Judicial appointments would be made by a committee comprised of coalition and opposition lawmakers, judges and public representatives. Appointments would require a broad consensus, and no single party would wield a veto.

Netanyahu’s proposal has sparked weeks of mass protests by tens of thousands of Israelis, drawn criticism from business leaders, economists and legal experts. Military reservists have threatened to stop reporting for duty if it passes. Even some of Israel’s closest allies, including the U.S., have urged caution.

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