UK voices concern over 'Israel's' judicial overhaul
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The UK Foreign Office encouraged Israel's leadership on Tuesday to "build consensus and avoid division."
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Israeli Prim Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a cabinet meeting on January 8, 2023. (AP)
The United Kingdom has joined the chorus of worldwide alarm over the situation in "Israel," amid widespread opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's intention to alter the country's court system.
The British Foreign Office encouraged the occupation's leadership on Tuesday to "build consensus and avoid division."
On Saturday, more than half a million settlers participated in anti-overhaul demonstrations, which entered the 29th week in a row.
Read more: Overhaul supporters vs. opponents take to streets, deepening division
Yesterday, Israeli media reported that demonstrators from the "Brothers in Arms" movement bound themselves together and blocked the road to the Knesset in an effort to prevent Israeli occupation MKs from reaching it.
The United States considers that the Israeli Knesset's vote to limit the powers of the Supreme Court is "unfortunate", the White House said in a statement on Monday.
During a phone call last week, the US President asked the Israeli Prime Minister "not to rush" with the judicial reform legislation and build a broad consensus within "Israel".
According to a foreign office spokesperson, the UK shares "democratic values," with the Israeli occupation. However, it added that “While Israel’s exact constitutional arrangements are a matter for Israelis, we urge the Israeli government to build consensus and avoid division, ensuring that a robust system of checks and balances and the independence of Israel’s judiciary are preserved.”
Netanyahu rejected eroding the country's checks and balances, and stated that the overhaul was "a necessary democratic act," that is in fact "intended to return a measure of balance between the branches of government."
Brewing turmoil
For several days, political parties have been engaged in intense negotiations, striving to reach a consensus agreement. President Issac Herzog has played a crucial role as the mediator in these talks.
However, the discussions collapsed just moments before the government session, leaving the entire occupation entity in a state of turmoil. The situation is expected to exacerbate existing divisions and could potentially lead to further strife within "Israel."
As per the law's draft, courts are forbidden from subjecting cabinet and ministerial decisions, such as appointments and the decision not to exercise vested authorities, to any form of scrutiny based on "reasonableness."
