On Saturday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant urged the cabinet to postpone court reform legislation, claiming the acrimonious conflict threatens national security.
“The increasing rift is seeping into the military and defence institutions – this is an obvious, urgent and genuine risk to Israel’s security,” Gallant warned in a brief broadcast remark.
Yuli Edelstein and David Bitan, two Likud lawmakers, supported Gallant’s call for reforms with broad support.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, returning from London and hoping to pass at least one measure this week, may have ignored their request.
Netanyahu, who denies corruption charges, is pressured by his ruling coalition to pass a law this week to give them more say in judge selection.
Far-right police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir pushed Netanyahu to replace Gallant for bowing to opposition pressure.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid applauded Gallant’s “brave action” and said he was ready for reform negotiations provided the government pauses the legislation.
Gallant supports judicial system reform but only with wide support. The coalition may survive without him with a 64-seat majority in parliament.
The defense commander has already expressed concerns about a surge of Israelis who have committed not to answer military reserve duty call-ups if the changes advance, warning that might erode war readiness and national cohesiveness.
Mass protests over the Jan. 4 judicial reform proposal have thrown Israel into its biggest political crisis.
It has also caused international worry and economic repercussions.
Despite Netanyahu’s promise this week to codify human rights in law and suspend several chapters of the revamp during parliament’s April holiday, resistance remains strong.
Israeli media said 200,000 Israelis protested the proposal in Tel Aviv on Saturday, with tens of thousands more nationwide.
“I’m defending my nation. I grew raised in the Soviet Union, so I understand tyranny. I will stop my country from becoming one “Tel Aviv demonstrator Janna Gur, 64, declared.
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