Gallant 'taking measures' behind the scenes to achieve 'wide consensus' on judicial reform controversy
The office of Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant revealed on Friday that he is seeking a “wide consensus” on the controversial judicial reform that has deeply divided Israeli society in the past six months.
"Gallant is taking measures in order to reach a wide consensus and ensure the security of the State of Israel, while leaving the IDF separate from political discourse," read the official statement by Israel's Ministry of Defense.
While Israeli political issues are often the subject of disagreement among groups, the military has usually been kept out of politics. However, the ongoing judicial reform controversy has entered the realm of the Israel Defense Forces in recent months.
More than 1,000 army reservists urged the Netanyahu government to “reach broad agreements” on the judicial overhaul.
In a letter to IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen Herzi Halevi and Chief Maj.-Gen. Tomer Bar of the Israel Air Force, military reservists warned they would suspend their volunteer service if the current legislation passes.
“Legislation that allows the government to act in an extremely unreasonable manner will harm the security of the State of Israel, will cause a loss of trust, and a violation of my consent to continue risking my life, and will lead, with deep sorrow and no choice, to suspending my volunteer reserve duty,” reservists who oppose the judicial overhaul stated.
Earlier this month, Gallant told army reservists that their refusal to serve is "dangerous" and 'a reward for our enemy.'
Gallant has emerged as a voice of moderation within the current Netanyahu coalition government.
Just last week, Halevi addressed the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee where he said that refusal by reservists to serve endangers Israel's security.
“Anyone who calls for not showing up harms the IDF and harms the security of the state,” Halevi said in the meeting.
“The breach within the nation has penetrated deep into the IDF and defense establishment – a clear and major threat to the security of Israel which he would not allow,” warned Gallant in March.
“The security of the State of Israel has always been and will always remain my life’s mission,” he emphasized.
Netanyahu suspended Gallant following his public call to pause the judicial reform, which caused an uproar and resulted in large protests. He reinstated the defense minister shortly afterward, citing national security challenges.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
