Defense Minister Yoav Gallant cancels press conference following meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after reportedly planning to publicly urge the government to stop the measure.
“We will ensure the basic rights of all Israeli citizens – Jews and non-Jews, secular and religious, women, the LGBTQ community, everyone without exception,” Netanyahu says as protests continue.
The bill was never advanced, but it drew widespread attention in the American evangelical world this week.
By a 61-to-47 final vote, the Knesset approved the bill under which prime ministers can be deemed unfit – and compelled to step aside – either if they or three-quarters of cabinet ministers declare them so on physical or psychological grounds.
The outlet says the measure would "outlaw talk about Jesus." Evangelical Christian leaders call on PM to block bill that would punish attempts to solicit conversion with imprisonment.
The prime minister visits the Tel Hashomer Base in Ramat Gan for an induction ceremony amid soldiers refusing to serve over judicial reforms.
"Seventeen years of attempts, an uncompromising struggle, and a strong belief in the righteousness of this path converged into one moment today,” says MK Yuli Edelstein, who sponsored the measure.
Monday's coalition statement used more circumspect language than in the original bill introduced on Jan 4, but said it would continue to check the power of judges on the selection panel to use what it deemed an "automatic veto" over nominations to the bench.
As the changes head toward ratification, the protests have escalated, affecting the economy – the shekel has slipped – and extending to a threat by some military reservists not to heed call-up orders.
The national security minister says Gali Baharav-Miara is acting as the de facto opposition leader, having "automatically rejected any decision or bill backed by the government or those related to it."
