Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that his government will proceed with its plan to reform the judicial system, despite failed negotiations with opposition lawmakers over a compromise approach. The controversial proposals seek to reduce the power of the courts, in part by increasing the government's role in choosing judges. The plan has sparked six months of protests, with many criticising it as a threat to the independence of the judiciary and democratic principles.
Negotiations between the government and opposition lawmakers had been ongoing for over two months in an effort to find a compromise approach. However, talks were suspended last week after Netanyahu's party pushed for the election of just one opposition representative, rather than two, to a panel responsible for key judiciary appointments. Opposition lawmakers demanded that the committee be fully formed and meeting before they would resume negotiations.
In response to the stalling of talks, Netanyahu accused opposition leaders of engaging in a delaying tactic, pretending to negotiate while refusing to compromise even on minor points. In a statement posted on YouTube, he said the government would "start to take practical steps, in a measured and responsible manner" to implement its proposed judicial reforms.
The announcement caused concern among some investors, with the benchmark TA-35 dropping to its lowest level since late May. Critics argue that the proposed reforms would undermine the independence of the judiciary and consolidate too much power in the hands of the government. Supporters of the reforms argue that the courts have become too powerful and opaque, and that greater government involvement is necessary to ensure accountability.
Despite the ongoing protests and political tensions, Netanyahu's government has been pushing ahead with other reforms in a range of areas, from healthcare to education. The prime minister is widely seen as a polarising figure, with strong supporters and staunch critics both within and outside of Israel. The proposed judicial reforms are likely to remain a contentious issue, with many closely watching to see how the government's plans will be implemented in practice.