'Israel' heading to dangerous place: Shin Bet head to Netanyahu

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli Media
24 Mar 2023 11:19
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The Shin Bet head presents Netanyahu "with a very dark" picture of the consequences of the so-called "judicial reform".

Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar enters a vehicle, October 11, 2021 (AFP)

Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar met with Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and warned him that "Israel" is heading into a very dangerous place, Israeli media reported.

"The combination of the security threats and the social situation in the context of the [judicial overhaul] legislation are taking Israel to a dangerous place," Israeli Channel 12 quoted Bar as saying.

The Ynet news website also said that Bar presented Netanyahu "with a very dark" picture of the consequences of the so-called "judicial reform".

According to the i24NEWS website, this is not the first time that the Shin Bet chief has warned Netanyahu about the threats.

The website added that Israeli occupation Security Minister Yoav Gallant has backed calls to pause the legislative process for dialogue with its opponents.

It was also claimed that Israeli occupation forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi lately provided Netanyahu with intelligence files that included clear warnings of the consequences.

The i24NEWS website highlighted that since the Israeli government began the legislative process, one of the main threats that were the focus of the talks between the Israeli occupation heads of the security and military establishment and Netanyahu is the repeated calls for refusal to report for duty made by reservists.

Netanyahu determined to advance 'judicial reforms'

This comes a few hours after Netanyahu on Thursday said in a televised address that he was determined to advance the "judicial reforms" but claimed that he wanted to reach a solution acceptable to both supporters and critics of the proposal.

"I will do everything, everything, to bring calm and end division among the people," the Israeli occupation Prime Minister alleged, after months of protests, including objections from high-level officials.

Before Netanyahu's address, Israeli lawmakers voted 61 against 47 to approve an amendment to one of "Israel's" Basic Laws, specifying the conditions for the temporary removal of an Israeli premier.

The previous version of the law stated that an Israeli Prime Minister could be declared incapacitated but did not specify on what grounds or lay out the necessary steps.

The amended legislation requires a request by the premier or a cabinet vote backed by a three-quarter majority of ministers, and it is limited to mental or physical health reasons.

On Monday, Netanyahu's ruling coalition presented an amended version of a key element of the overhaul, ahead of votes planned before parliament goes into recess next week.

The so-called "reforms" would increase the power of politicians over the courts and are already moving through parliament.

Opponents have accused Netanyahu of trying to use the reforms to save himself from bribery, fraud, and breach of trust allegations that he is facing.

"Israel" is witnessing protests against the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, especially its plans related to judiciary reforms. This is not all; many have warned that a "civil war" was just around the corner for the Israeli occupation. pic.twitter.com/Hza4rScjFu
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 5, 2023

'Judicial reform' will lead to significant hit to Israeli economy

In a related context, senior officials at the Israeli occupation Ministry of Finance discussed the economic consequences of the "judicial overhaul", the Israeli business daily Globes reported on Tuesday.

The website said Budgets Division head Yogev Gardos suggested that the Israeli occupation government’s measures "are liable to lead to a downgrade in Israel’s sovereign credit rating that will increase the state’s debt burden by some NIS 7 billion annually and bring about a loss of economic growth of about 5.6%."

Chief economist at the Israeli occupation Ministry of Finance, Shira Greenberg, warned that the "implementation of the proposed legal reform is liable to lead to a very significant hit to the Israeli economy."

Last Monday, the Israeli Walla!NEWS website reported that against the background of the "judicial overhaul", the dollar crossed the threshold of 3.70 shekels, reaching its highest rate in four years.