Israeli government, opposition hold talks to reach compromise on judicial overhaul

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – The Israeli government is holding talks with the opposition in an effort to reach a compromise on controversial judicial overhaul, according to local media on Tuesday.

The closed-door talks were held between representatives of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party and opposition National Unity Party of former Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Haaretz newspaper reported.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is involved indirectly in the negotiations, the daily said, citing informed sources.

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 early this summer, which revoked the “reasonableness standard”.

In July, the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) approved a controversial bill to limit the “reasonableness standard,” 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.

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 executive authority.

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

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar