President Isaac Herzog is expected to hold a series of meetings with government, Knesset, and judiciary officials this week in an effort to mitigate the crisis over the proposed judicial reforms, Israel Hayom has learned.
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On Sunday, Herzog that "profound" disagreement over the government's judicial reform plan was tearing the country apart, and vowed to work towards averting a constitutional crisis.
"I am now focused on two critical roles that I believe I bear as president at this hour: averting a historic constitutional crisis and stopping the continued rift within our nation," he said, adding he hoped his efforts would "yield results. I humbly admit that I am not certain of this endeavor's success. There is still a long way to go and significant gaps remain."
Throughout last week, Herzog spoke with the officials – including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – to create a joint dialogue and open communication channels between the leaders of the three branches of government.
Sources involved in the matter could not divulge details on the president's outline but said it was thorough and far-reaching and included the re-arrangement of ties between the three authorities.
The judicial reforms – proposed by new Justice Minister Yariv Levin – include an "override clause" that would enable the Knesset to reverse Supreme Court decisions to overturn legislation with a majority of 61 members.
It would also change the way judges are appointed – giving the majority on the selection committee to elected officials – as well as eliminate the legal justification of "lack of reasonableness" – by which the court can cancel Knesset decisions – which critics argue is legally vague and has been used by the court to mean whatever it likes.
Opponents of the bill decried the proposed changes as a threat to democracy that will "crush" Israel's system of checks and balances, with tens of thousands taking to the streets of Tel Aviv Saturday evening in protest.
Netanyahu last week defended the proposal, arguing that instead of weakening the judicial system, it would "strengthen all of our systems, democracy and the rule of law, that are dependent on the correct balance between institutions.
"This balance that we find in all countries across the world has been somewhat broken in Israel, and we have to return it in a responsible way and that's what we will do," he said.
JNS.org contributed to this report.
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