Israel: Blinken says any major reform requires ‘consensus’


US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger on March 17, 2023. POOL / REUTERS

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said any major reform required a “consensusas Israel is rocked by massive protests over a controversial bill by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to limit the powers of the Supreme Court. To get to “consensus is the best way forward” in the “Israel’s vibrant democracyBlinken said in an interview with AFP late Thursday evening in Niamey, where he paid a visit.

Ensuring long-term reform

Since the announcement of the reform project in early January by one of the most right-wing governments in the history of Israel, massive demonstrations have taken place every week in the country, to denounce an anti-democratic drift, according to its detractors. This judicial reform project aims to limit the prerogatives of the Supreme Court and divides the country. “One thing we’ve learned from our own experience as a democracy is that when you’re looking to make big changes – major reforms – to your laws, your institutions, consensus is perhaps the most important thingadded Mr. Blinken. Consensus is essential formaking sure you have something that is not only accepted, but will also last“, he said.

Netanyahu’s new far-right government has proposed major reforms that include allowing lawmakers to overturn Supreme Court decisions by a simple majority vote. Tens of thousands of people have since taken to the streets and Israeli President Isaac Herzog has warned of the risk of a “civil war“. Some critics say Mr Netanyahu is pushing for reforms to protect himself as he battles corruption charges.




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