Porush criticises Netanyahu over draft law

BY DAVID SAFFER

Jerusalem Affairs Minister Meir Porush has criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not advancing the proposed Charedi draft law.

Media reports last weekend noted Netanyahu had informed Chareidi MKs of a delay due to ongoing judicial reform opposition.

Uncertainty has seen Netanyahu’s bloc in the Knesset lose support in the polls according to Israeli media.

Porush reportedly said: “Why did we sign an agreement? Does a Prime Minister sign an agreement not to fulfil it? Netanyahu said before the elections everything would be fine, suddenly he is Prime Minister and it doesn’t exist.”

Porush lamented hearing the same excuses from Finance Ministry officials during the Bennett and Lapid era.

Regarding the draft law, Porush noted: “If we have to be scared (to advance a draft law) then Netanyahu should say that he can’t be Prime Minister because I can’t give you what you need.”

Pressure is increasing and according to some reports the proposed legislation will be debated in the Knesset’s summer session.

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich is working on a deal to satisfy Chareidi parties.

Negotiations continue in the defense, finance, justice ministries and Chareidi parties. It is believed Chareidi MKs will not vote on a budget until the draft issue is resolved as per the coalition deal. Legislative amendments include amending the age Chareidim contribute to the economy and length of mandatory service in the IDF.

Israeli TV channels meantime show Likud support has dipped with the continued uncertainty.

Israel’s opposition centrist bloc includes Benny Gantz’s National Unity and Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid.

Polls indicate Gantz has gained the most from mass protests against the judicial reforms.

Channel 13 News projected this week that Netanyahu’s bloc would slump from its 64 majority in the 120-seat Knesset to 46 seats. The opposition would win back control with 62 seats from its current 51.

A Kan 11 News poll has the Netanyahu bloc on 51 seats with Likud on 28 seats, Gantz’s National Unity would be the biggest party on 30, a resurgence from the last election.

Channel 14 News has Likud on 30 seats. Netanyahu’s bloc on 58 seats would lose power.

Large demonstration continue on both sides of the judicial reform debate across Israel.

Around 150,000-200,000 government supporters held a rally in Jerusalem last weekend.

Protestors at the rally chanted, “No compromise, Bibi, don’t back down”

Government ministers addressed the crowd including Smotrich who vowed: “The people demand judicial reform and will get one. We will not give up.”

Justice Minister Yariv Levin said: “What other democracies allow the legal advisers to make decisions instead of the government?” Taking a swipe at the Supreme Court, he noted: “We need a court that protects soldiers, not terrorists.” Levin added, “Since I presented the judicial reform, more and more people understand the need for the legislation. I believe we can reach an agreement in negotiations.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid countered that he was “deeply ashamed and saddened” at the demonstrators on the High Court of Justice. “The inciting speeches by the ministers and MKs have only continued to pull Israeli society apart,” he said.

Netanyahu did not attend the rally, but wrote on Twitter, “I thank the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who came to Jerusalem tonight to support our government. Your passion and patriotism move me deeply.”

The rally was branded the ‘Million Man March’ with Likud and the Religious Zionist Party raising funds to pay for transportation and logistical costs. Supporters of ultra-Orthodox parties did not participate after the United Torah Judaism Party warned them not to.

The rally followed mass anti-government protests for 16 weeks on a Saturday night across the country. Anti-government protests are expected to continue despite talks to find a compromise.

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