In the dispute over judicial reform in Israel, representatives of the right-wing religious coalition and the opposition have met for the first negotiations. The talks in the President's residence ended after about an hour and a half "in a good mood", as President Izchak Herzog's office later announced in Jerusalem. The rounds of negotiations are expected to continue throughout the week. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously postponed the proposed law after massive protests in order to "make room for dialogue".
It is unclear whether a compromise proposed by Herzog a few weeks ago should serve as a basis for the negotiations. Netanyahu rejected the comprehensive proposal as "unbalanced". The opposition backed it.
Protests continue
Despite the announced postponement of the controversial judicial reform in Israel, opponents of the government's plans are continuing their protest. Dozens of people gathered in front of the President's residence in Jerusalem in the evening to protest against the start of the negotiations. "The opposition leaders and the president should know that they are taking part in a theatrical performance directed by Netanyahu," criticized a spokesman for the organizers and called for the talks to be halted. There were also rallies in Tel Aviv in the afternoon with hundreds of demonstrators.
With the judicial reform, Netanyahu's coalition wants to curtail the influence of the Supreme Court and expand the government's position of power. She accuses the Supreme Court of excessive interference in political decisions. In the future, for example, Parliament should be able to overturn decisions of the Supreme Court with a simple majority. Critics see the separation of powers in danger and warn of a state crisis if the reform is implemented in this way.
Disagreement in opposition to dialogue
The leader of the Labor Party, Meirav Michaeli, saw little reason for a compromise along the lines of the prime minister. "The struggle and protest must continue and intensify." Netanyahu only wanted to buy time with his statements, but ultimately wanted to implement exactly what so many people in the country were afraid of. Despite Netanyahu's announcement, the coalition on Tuesday introduced a bill to change the composition of the body that appoints judges in parliament. Opposition politicians spoke of "a gun to the head" during possible negotiations.
Netanyahu could soon be invited to the White House
US Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides, meanwhile, hinted at a possible invitation for Netanyahu to the White House in Washington. "I think he will be invited to Passover," he told Israeli army radio. The Jewish Passover festival begins on Wednesday next week and lasts for a week. "There is no question that the Prime Minister will come and meet President Biden," Nides said.
The White House, in turn, said on Tuesday that there are currently no such visit plans. Israeli leaders traditionally also visit the United States, so it's likely that there will be such a visit "at some point," but there are currently no plans for it, said spokeswoman Olivia Dalton.
Since taking office in November, Netanyahu has already visited several European countries, including Germany, as well as neighboring Jordan. So far, however, he has not received an invitation from the USA - traditionally the closest ally. Observers take this as a sign that US President Joe Biden is not happy with the policy of the right-wing religious government.
Normal operation after general strike
After large parts of economic life came to a standstill on Monday due to a general strike in protest against the reform, normal operations returned on Tuesday. Planes also took off regularly at the international airport. The workers' union took part in a nationwide strike on Monday, which led to several flight cancellations. Numerous workers in other sectors had also resigned from their jobs after being called by the umbrella organization of trade unions.
