Controversial Israeli judicial reform bill now in next Knesset session: Netanyahu

Jerusalem (IANS) | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that his government would delay his controversial justice bill until the next parliamentary session, facing growing opposition, including from at least one minister. In a televised address to the nation, he said the delay stems from a desire to reach a broad consensus, the BBC reported.

As protests erupted and calls for a general strike, flights out of Tel Aviv were halted and McDonald’s closed, Netanyahu called on protesters to behave responsibly and refrain from violence.

Not long ago, the major party in the governing coalition—the far-right Jewish Power Party—said it had agreed to withdraw the delay in the law if it were presented to Israel’s parliament in its next session.

In his address, Netanyahu said that Israel currently has two camps and that the country “does not need” this tension to continue. He said that some people are rejecting military service, which in itself is a big crime.

It came as the Israel Army called on soldiers to continue their duty and act responsibly amid social divisions over the government’s plans to overhaul the judiciary. There were reports that many refused to appear for compulsory military service.

Netanyahu also said that his government would never accept a civil war and that he was facing a crisis that posed a real threat to national unity. Netanyahu said he is trying to find a solution because the country is at a dangerous crossroad.

He alleged that extremist minorities were out to divide the country and that the crisis forced everyone to act responsibly.

–IANS