Gantz Urges Caution on ‘Hasty’ Judicial Reforms, Calls for National Consensus
National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz on Saturday lashed out at Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar for their newly unveiled judicial reforms, accusing them of pushing divisive changes while Israel remains at war. In a lengthy video statement, Gantz charged that the ministers were “bringing Israel back to October 6,” referring to the government’s previous judicial overhaul attempts, instead of prioritizing negotiations to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Gantz, who joined Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government briefly after the war broke out on October 7, 2023, emphasized that any substantive reform should be anchored in broad public support and not rushed through during a crisis. “Time is needed, trust is needed, and broad agreements are needed,” he stated, noting that he opposes fast-track legislation while soldiers are fighting on multiple fronts.
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Levin, the architect of last year’s contentious overhaul, and Sa’ar, who recently rejoined the coalition, propose a plan that adjusts the Judicial Selection Committee’s structure but still constrains the court. Critics argue the changes would politicize judicial appointments and weaken the High Court’s ability to review legislation.
Gantz acknowledged that some Israelis seek immediate reforms, but he insisted that dialogue must happen under three conditions: a new Supreme Court president must be appointed, the Levin-Sa’ar proposal must be open to amendments, and any actions undermining democracy—such as firing the attorney general—must stop. He cautioned that if the original, far-reaching overhaul plan resurfaces, the opposition “will fight it with all legal tools at our disposal.”
