In the fierce dispute over Israel’s judicial reform, cracks in the camp of the right-wing religious coalition are becoming apparent for the first time. Defense Minister Joav Galant from the Likud party has made a dramatic appeal to his own government to put all plans for the far-reaching upheavals on hold and to start a dialogue with opponents of the reform. He justified this with the dangers to national security from the increasingly polarizing domestic political conflict. The move could complicate the government’s plan to pass the first important parts of the reform in parliament this week, and it could become a crucial test for the government.
Galant published his sensational statement on Saturday evening just as hundreds of thousands of people across the country had gathered for demonstrations on the streets for the twelfth week, warning of a coup d’état from above. In Tel Aviv alone, the crowd was estimated at around 200,000. So the protests are still gaining momentum – and Galant, as Secretary of Defense, has come under particular pressure. Thousands of army reservists have now said they will not be returning to duty in protest at the government’s plans. Among them are many pilots and members of elite units.
“The growing division is seeping into the institutions of the military and defense,” Galant explained, referring to numerous conversations he had had with members of the security apparatus in recent weeks. This is a “clear, real and imminent danger” at a time when Israel is facing particularly serious threats. Specifically, he mentioned the Iranian nuclear program, the extremely tense situation in the Palestinian territories and the threat posed by the Lebanese Hezbollah militia.
Galant is for judicial reform. But the change should be implemented in dialogue
Galant, who himself served in the army for decades and rose to the rank of major general, also called on the opposition to stop the protests. He fundamentally acknowledged the need for judicial reform. But such changes can only take place in dialogue. “Victory by just one side, either in the Knesset or on the streets, would spell defeat for the Israeli state.”
Yoav Galant sees the ordeal of Israeli society as a threat to the country’s defense.
(Photo: Menahem Kahana/AP)
Galant was the first Likud minister to openly oppose Netanyahu’s course. Last Thursday he withdrew a previously announced statement after the head of government had called him in for an interview. Now his clear words triggered hectic activity in Jerusalem and a very different response.
Netanyahu was still on a government visit to Britain at the time of Galant’s statement. But even after returning early Sunday morning, the Prime Minister initially refrained from any comment and instead invited the leaders of the coalition parties to an emergency meeting later in the day. Meanwhile, the waves were already high.
Other cabinet members have sharply criticized Galant
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of National Security from the far-right Jewish Strength party, called on Netanyahu to immediately dismiss the defense minister. Galant “collapsed under pressure from the media and the demonstrators,” he says. “Elected by right-wing voters, he now drives the left-wing agenda.” Various ministers and MPs from the Likud party also verbally fired at the defense minister with heavy artillery.
At the same time, however, it became apparent how much things are simmering beneath the surface of the traditional governing party. Within minutes of Galant’s statement, two Likud MPs publicly backed him. Israeli media are also reporting on other Likud politicians, including those in the cabinet, who are increasingly having reservations about the plans to reorganize the judiciary – be it out of concern for damage to the Israeli economy or fear of Israel becoming alienated from its western partners , especially from the United States. In parliament, the coalition has 64 out of 120 votes. Several dissenters could therefore jeopardize a majority in the planned votes.
Galant received applause from opponents of judicial reform. Opposition leader Jair Lapid spoke of a “bold and necessary step”. Galant’s predecessor, Benny Gantz, saw the statement as a “wake-up call” and promised that a dialogue could begin as soon as the legislation was stopped.
Meanwhile, the Knesset Judiciary Committee continued to work flat out on Sunday to put a law to the final vote this week that would give the government a majority in the committee that appoints Supreme Court judges. The protest movement, on the other hand, has called for daily demonstrations and announced a whole “week of paralysis”.