Israel in midst of constitutional, social crisis: President

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Wednesday Israel is living a constitutional and social crisis amid a rift over a government plan for judicial overhaul.

"The State of Israel has been in the midst of an acute constitutional and social crisis for almost nine months, which has dangerously shaken the society, the economy, and especially the security of the State of Israel," Herzog said in a speech in West Jerusalem.

Herzog has been mediating between the government and opposition to reach a compromise on the planned judicial reform.

"We must resolve the difficult and dangerous crisis between the different branches of government, and determine the healthy and correct balance of powers between them," he said.

“It is time to show responsibility, look reality in the eyes, and act in every way to reach a broad consensus,” the Israeli president said.

Israel has been in political turmoil in recent months over a government plan to introduce judicial reforms seen by the opposition as a power grab in favor of the executive authority.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, insists that the reform would enhance democracy and restore the balance among the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government.

In an effort to resolve the crisis, representatives of Netanyahu’s Likud Party and the National Unity Party of former Defense Minister Benny Gantz held closed-door talks to reach a compromise on the planned judicial reform.

The two sides are reportedly close to agree on an 18-month freeze of all judicial overhaul-related legislation and to change a law that was passed by the Knesset in July, which the opposition says would curtail the powers of the Supreme Court.

The two sides are also expected to agree on keeping the Judicial Appointments Committee in its current format, according to Haaretz newspaper.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar