Published: 27 January 2023
Last updated: 5 March 2024
President Isaac Herzog warns the country is at a ‘fateful, testing moment’; Economists caution on potential damage; Israelis abroad join protests.
President Isaac Herzog has warned that Israel is on course to tear itself apart, amid the Government’s planned radical shakeup of the judicial system and mounting public opposition, and urged the country’s leadership to avoid confrontation and instead engage in patient dialogue and constructive debate.
“The democratic foundations of Israel, including the justice system and human rights and freedoms, are sacred, and we must protect them and the values expressed in the Declaration of Independence,” Herzog said, addressing a conference in Tel Aviv.
The President’s speech came as Israeli news reported that the coalition has decided to make the judicial overhaul its top priority, with the goal of passing it into law by the beginning of April.
An “emergency” letter signed by hundreds of senior Israeli economists has warned defanging the judicial system could affect Israel’s credit rating. The letter comes on the heels of a meeting between PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Bank of Israel Governor Professor Amir Yaron, in which Yaron warned that senior global economic figures had expressed concerns to him about the potential consequences of the Government’s planned judicial overhaul.
Herzog expressed concernabout the civic divide developing around the proposals.
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in front of the President’s residence in Jerusalem, demanding he take a clear stance in defence of the judiciary.
“I see the sides prepared and ready all along the front for an all-out confrontation over the character of the State of Israel, and I am anxious we are on the brink of an internal struggle that could consume us all,” Herzog said.
He urged Israel’s leaders to “show responsibility … take the time needed for this critical discussion,” and warned, “The absence of dialogue is tearing us apart from within, and I’m telling you loud and clear: This powder keg is about to explode. This is an emergency.
