Israeli President Isaac Herzog has called for an end to the proposed judicial overhaul in Israel, citing concerns over the independence of the judiciary. The proposed overhaul has led to protests across the country, with demonstrators calling for the preservation of the judiciary’s independence.
Herzog, who holds a largely ceremonial role, expressed his concerns in a speech to the Israel Bar Association on Sunday. He argued that the proposed changes would undermine the rule of law and erode public trust in the judiciary.
The proposed overhaul, which has been championed by Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, would allow the government to have greater control over the appointment of judges and weaken the power of the Supreme Court.
Critics argue that the changes would undermine the independence of the judiciary and give the government greater control over the legal system, potentially allowing it to suppress dissent and violate individual rights.
Protests against the proposed overhaul have been ongoing for several weeks, with thousands of Israelis taking to the streets to voice their opposition. Demonstrators have called for the preservation of the judiciary’s independence and for the proposed changes to be scrapped.
Herzog’s call for an end to the proposed overhaul is likely to increase pressure on Bennett’s government to reconsider its plans. The prime minister has defended the proposed changes, arguing that they are necessary to reform the judiciary and improve its efficiency.