Yoav Gallant was the first Coalition minister to publicly oppose the bills, resulting in a swift move by the prime minister. "Israel's security has always been and will always be my life's mission," Gallant said shortly after the decision was announced.
Israel Hayom has learned that prior to Gallant’s decision to defy the party line on the judicial overhaul, he prodded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convene the Diplomatic-Security to discuss the impact of the reform on Israel’s overall national security and defense.
“This is a clear, immediate and tangible danger to the security of the state,” the defense minister says, all but saying he would not vote for the controversial reform. On Saturday, tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets as they have every week since the start of the year, bringing parts of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to a standstill.
"The legal situation is clear: You must refrain from any involvement in initiatives to change the judiciary," Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara says, warning the prime minister.
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.
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.
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."