After the growing state of division and anger towards the Israeli Likud government, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acquiesced today (Monday) to the demands of the opposition and announced his postponement of the judicial amendments to the next parliamentary session, acknowledging the state of great division caused by his decisions and claiming that his decision was due to his desire to prevent division.
"I obtained the approval of the majority of my colleagues in the government to prevent civil war through dialogue," Netanyahu said, adding: "The government will give an opportunity to pass the judicial amendments through a broad consensus."
He pointed out that he decided to postpone the judicial amendments for this session of the Knesset until a consensus is reached, explaining that the judicial amendments will be discussed in the next session of the Knesset.
He pointed out that he has a majority in the Knesset that makes him discuss the judicial amendments, indicating that his supporters took to the streets spontaneously without the support of politicians or the media.
The Israeli prime minister acknowledged the existence of a deep rift between the Israelis, accusing what he described as an "extremist minority" of seeking to tear Israel apart and drag it into a civil war.
He said in a speech: “The Israeli army cannot remain by refusing military service,” calling on army leaders to confront the phenomenon of refusing military service. He stated that he had no willingness to tear the Israelis apart, as he described it, and that Israel could not remain with the continued refusal of military service.
He added: The current crisis forces us to act responsibly.
At the same time, Israeli media reported that the Jewish Power Party announced that its leader, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, had agreed to postpone the judicial amendments, giving the government a deadline until the next session of the Knesset, which begins in early May.
For his part, former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that he welcomes Netanyahu's decision to postpone judicial legislation, and that he will remain opposed to this government, but he will support dialogue, while the opposition leader, former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, said that they are ready for dialogue with the president according to a specific approach, and strive to achieve the constitution of Israel. .
In turn, the "Times of Israel" newspaper considered the deadline as an opportunity for Netanyahu to try to pass legislation related to the amendments through negotiations with opposition figures, considering Ben Gvir's position came in exchange for Netanyahu's approval of approving the formation of the so-called National Guard, which Ben Gvir seeks to establish, at the next cabinet meeting and will be put in place. Under the command of the Ministry of National Security, which is handled by Ben Gvir.
The Israeli TV (I. 24 News) quoted officials of the Jewish Power Party as saying that the controversial judicial amendments in the country would be postponed until next summer.
On the other hand, the security forces dispersed the demonstrators in central Tel Aviv using water cannons, and according to international media, the demonstrations are still continuing despite the announcement by the head of the trade unions to suspend the protests after Netanyahu postponed the amendments.
Internationally, the White House welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement to suspend the Judicial Amendments Law, and called on the Israeli forces to reach a settlement, saying: We support Israel's strict security and democracy, and this does not prevent us from holding honest and frank talks.
Okaz (Jeddah) @okaz_online