Netanyahu’s announcement of dropping contentious clause in judicial reform yields partners’ anger

Tel Aviv: The controversial clause of the proposed amendment aimed at subverting the judiciary has been announced as withdrawn by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which, in turn, has enraged his coalition partners but failed to elicit a calm response from the protesters who strongly oppose the plans.

Giving an interview with the Wall Street Journal Netanyahu made his announcement of dropping the controversial clause which would allow the parliament, known as the Knesset, to override the decisions of the supreme court with a simple majority.

He positioned himself as a leader who responds to public outcry by cancelling the proposal, while also indicating a willingness to revisit another contentious element in the proposed plan that could grant more power to politicians in the appointment of judges.

The prime minister's coalition, comprising right-wing and ultra-Orthodox parties, introduced a comprehensive package of judicial changes shortly after Netanyahu returned to office in December.

The objective of this legislation is to reduce the influence of the country's supreme court, which has long been criticized by the Israeli right for alleged bias and excessive power. Critics argue that these proposed changes will undermine democratic norms and primarily aid Netanyahu in his fight against corruption charges, which he vehemently denies.

The introduction of the judicial overhaul sparked massive protests, leading to the largest-ever protest movement in Israel. In March, wildcat strikes paralyzed the country, forcing Netanyahu to announce a freeze on the legislation.

Despite efforts to broker compromises through talks with opposition parties facilitated by President Isaac Herzog, progress has been minimal. Demonstrators have continued their weekly protests on Saturday nights, reflecting the sustained opposition to the proposed changes.

The crisis, now in its sixth month, has not only created political divisions but also inflicted damage on Israel's economy. Concerns about the country's democratic health have been raised by crucial allies, including the United States. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, and these concerns further complicate the political landscape for Netanyahu.

Gideon Saar, a former justice minister from the centre-right, responded to Netanyahu's announcement, affirming that the protest movement will persist in its fight against the judicial overhaul. Saar argued that these proposed measures, though presented individually, collectively aim to restrict judicial review and influence the court's power. He likened them to a series of small hits with a cumulative impact on the court's authority.