Israeli President Calls for Halt to Judicial Reform Legislation

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has urged the Israeli government to immediately cease the acceptance of judicial reforms, according to the Jerusalem Post.

“For the sake of the unity of the Israeli people, for the sake of responsibility, I call for the immediate halt of the legislative process,” the newspaper quotes the president's words.

Yesterday, according to media reports, thousands of Israelis stormed a police checkpoint near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem after he dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. A day earlier, Gallant had called on the nation in a televised address to suspend the judicial reforms due to security concerns.

Following this, Asaf Zamir, Israel's Consul General in New York, also decided to leave his position, noting that the ongoing judicial reforms are “undermining” the foundations of the country's democratic system.

Various groups from the Israel Defense Forces reserves have repeatedly written open letters to the government demanding a halt to the judicial reforms, and in protest, they have refused to serve in the reserves, including elite units and pilots.

The package of laws proposed by Netanyahu's government would significantly limit the powers of the Supreme Court and grant authorities control over the appointment of judges. At the same time, the Prime Minister has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with the opposition regarding the reform.