Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir reach deal on judicial reform postponement
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Israeli media says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have reached an agreement on postponing the judicial reform bill.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, embraces lawmaker Simcha Rotman on the floor of the Knesset, in occupied Al-Quds, occupied Palestine, March 27, 2023 (AP)
Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have agreed to postpone the judicial reform law until the Knesset's summer session, Israeli media said Monday.
"Netanyahu is now holding a meeting with Ben-Gvir and ministers from his Likud party, to discuss developments," Israeli media added, highlighting that "Netanyahu pledged to Ben-Gvir that the cabinet would approve the establishment of a National Guard as a subordinate to the Police Ministry."
Ben-Gvir commented on the decision to postpone the decision to reform the judiciary, saying: "Netanyahu pledged that the reform will be proposed in the Knesset in its summer session, even if no agreement was reached about it."
Israeli former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett responded by saying that "if Netanyahu halts judicial reforms and restores Galant to his post, the situation will calm down."
It was reported that the occupation prime minister was heading Monday to announce the suspension of the judicial amendments after widespread protests, Israeli media quoted a source in Netanyahu's office as saying.
Israeli Channel 12 indicated that there was "drama during the session of the heads of the coalition," adding that "Ben-Gvir warned of the disintegration of the government."
The Israeli KAN broadcaster quoted a source in Netanyahu's office as saying that Justice Minister Yariv Levin "will not remain in his post."
Israeli media highlighted that right-wing settlers would start protesting in case the Justice Minister resigns, which would lead the government to collapse.
Ben-Gvir told Netanyahu earlier in the day, as reported by the Israeli KAN public broadcaster, that he would "resign from the government if the legislation is postponed." The far-right minister also underlined that he would continue pushing for the judicial overhaul from outside his coalition with Netanyahu.
Israeli media said earlier in the day that Benjamin Netanyahu had "overcome" the obstacles to announcing the freezing of controversial judicial amendments through an agreement he concluded with ministers Ben-Gvir and justice minister Yarriv Levin.
After hours-long deliberations with the government's coalition parties, Netanyahu left his office to the Knesset in occupied Al-Quds, where thousands are protesting the government's judicial amendments.
The Israeli Maariv newspaper said Netanyahu would announce a temporary suspension of the judicial reform later in the day.
The Israeli KAN broadcaster highlighted that opposition leader Yair Lapid told Netanyahu that he was ready to guarantee a safety net for the current government, noting that if one of the government's parties refuse to postpone legislation and withdraw from the coalition, he would guarantee votes that ensure that the coalition government does not fall for such a reason.
Furthermore, the broadcaster said Security Minister Yoav Gallant would remain in his post if Netanyahu goes back on his decision to sack him.
Netanyahu's office announced in a brief statement that the Prime Minister has decided to sack Gallant. However, the Times of Israel noted that "it is unclear what new position he will be given, if any." As per Maariv, Netanyahu now has 48 hours to appoint a new security minister.
According to The Jerusalem Post, Netanyahu told Gallant that he lost his trust in him after he "went behind the government's back" on Saturday while the occupation Prime Minister was visiting London.
This comes after Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the government must not put on hold its push to revamp the justice system.
