- Title: Israelis voice mixed feelings after Netanyahu hits 'pause' on judiciary overhaul
- Date: 28th March 2023
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) RESIDENT OF SOUTHERN ISRAEL, 72-YEAR-OLD TAXI DRIVER, SIMON AREAS, SAYING: "I'm really not feeling good, and I'm very sad that he stopped it, and it's a pity. Their aim is not the reform, the reform must be done and will be done, their way or the right-wing way. But nothing will come out of it. They said it, all the left-wing protesters said it explicitly: Our goal is to change the government. This is the whole problem, not the reform." MORE OF PEOPLE IN A JERUSALEM STREET
- Embargoed: 11th April 2023 12:20
- Keywords: Israel's Netanyahu halts judicial reform Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Israeli protest Israelis comment on judicial reform halt
- Location: JERUSALEM
- City: JERUSALEM
- Country: Israel
- Topics: Middle East,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA005088228032023RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Israeli voiced mostly relief but not all were happy on Tuesday (March 28), after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday (March 27) a halt to its government's bitterly contested judiciary overhaul which has triggered mass protests across the country over the past 12 weeks.
The tipping point of the country's political crisis was Netanyahu's announcement that he will dismiss Defence Minister Yoav Gallant after the latter warned of the security dangers of the country's situation, in public televised remarks.
Beset by unprecedented nationwide protests at his nationalist-religious coalition's signature plan to overhaul the judiciary, Netanyahu on Monday pressed the pause button and called for compromise talks with the center-left opposition.
"I'm happy he's getting back to the negotiating table," said 21-year-old real estate agent Gila Segelov in Jerusalem.
"I think the whole country can take a deep breath after three months of being at the edge of the cliff," added 72-year-old physician Charles Bacall.
Netanyahu's move stabilized Israel's shaken economy. But questions remained about Netanyahu's credibility - including within his own camp - after dissent by some senior Likud party colleagues.
"I don't think that this resentment that the right has towards the court is going away so I think that the best move for everyone is to face this issue and try and come up with a solution that's based on consensus so we can move on," said 34-year-old rabbinical student Matthew Schultz.
An opinion poll by top-rated Channel 12 TV found that 63% of Israelis - and 58% of Likud voters - opposed the removal of Defence Minister Gallant. Similar majorities supported Netanyahu pausing the reforms.
But with 68% of Israelis faulting him for the crisis, Channel 12 found that, were an election held today, Netanyahu and coalition allies would lose. Two of those parties, Religious Zionism and Jewish Power, voiced misgiving at the reform pause.
"I'm very sad that he stopped it," said a 72-year-old taxi driver from southern Israel, Simon Areas.
"The left-wing protesters said it explicitly: Our goal is to change the government. This is the whole problem, not the reform."
Critics say the judicial overhaul threatens the independence of the courts. Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges he denies, said the reforms balance out branches of government.
(Production: Dedi Hayun, Lianne Back) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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