Gantz Rejects Netanyahu’s Call for Collaboration on Judicial Reform

President Yitzchak Herzog has issued a plea to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his political adversaries to find a compromise solution to resolve the ongoing judicial crisis, just a week before a critical court hearing. Both sides have been engaged in confrontational rhetoric, escalating tensions surrounding the issue.

Herzog disclosed that he has been in discussions with leaders from both the coalition and the opposition in recent weeks, aiming to broker comprehensive agreements that could prevent a constitutional crisis and safeguard democracy following months of protests.

“In times of such crisis, leadership must seize the rare opportunities to come together and reach an agreement. This is one of those moments,” Herzog stated emphatically during a recent speech. “Enough is enough. I urge our leaders to act responsibly.”

This call comes ahead of an unprecedented event in Israeli history — the Supreme Court will convene its entire 15-judge bench on Sept. 12 to deliberate an appeal against an amendment that limits its own authority, a measure passed in July by the coalition.

The coalition initiated a campaign in January to reform the country’s judicial system, triggering unprecedented protests that had adverse effects on the economy and raised concerns about Israel’s democratic integrity.

Netanyahu has since stated that some of the original plan’s provisions have been discarded, and he now seeks broad consensus on any new judicial reforms. His aim is to restore a balance of power among the branches of government.

In a video released by his Likud party, Netanyahu called upon one of the opposition leaders, former Defense Minister Benny Gantz, to engage in direct negotiations, asserting that agreements could be reached.

On Monday, Likud denied reports from Israeli media claiming that Netanyahu had agreed to soften the July 24th law, which limited certain Supreme Court powers to challenge the executive branch, imposed an 18-month freeze on further judicial legislation, and eliminated changes to the committee responsible for appointing judges.

In a speech to his party on Tuesday, Gantz confirmed some of the leaked details regarding the proposed reforms and placed the responsibility on Netanyahu to navigate the challenges posed by hardliners within his coalition who are pushing for the overhaul.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the driving force behind the judicial reform efforts, dismissed these reports as mere “trial balloons” during an interview with Army Radio. He emphasized that it would be inappropriate for the Supreme Court to intervene in the judicial legislation.

In the coming month, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a series of appeals from lawmakers and watchdog organizations challenging various government measures related to the judiciary.