24hoursworld

Netanyahu visit: Scholz expresses concern about Israeli judicial reform

Netanyahu visit: Scholz expresses concern about Israeli judicial reform

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is unlikely to escape the protests against his controversial judicial reform even during his brief visit to Berlin. How does Chancellor Scholz deal with the issue?

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed Germany’s concerns about the controversial judicial reform in Israel. “As partners in democratic values ​​and close friends of Israel, we are following this debate very closely – and I don’t want to hide that: with great concern,” said the SPD politician on Thursday after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Berlin.

“Our wish is that our partner in values, Israel, remains a liberal democracy,” emphasized Scholz. He hopes that “the last word has not yet been spoken” on the latest compromise proposed by Israeli President Izchak Herzog, said the Chancellor.

Netanyahu: Israel remains a liberal democracy

Netanyahu’s right-wing religious government wants to push through the controversial reform in a fast-track procedure by the end of the month. The goal is the targeted weakening of the independent judiciary. Critics see the separation of powers as a pillar of democracy in danger. There have been violent protests for more than two months.

Herzog published a plan on Wednesday that he said would simultaneously strengthen parliament and the government and ensure an independent judiciary. Netanyahu rejected the compromise proposal before leaving for Germany.

In Berlin he rejected claims that the judiciary was being weakened. “Israel is a liberal democracy and we will remain a liberal democracy,” he said. An independent judiciary is not an almighty judiciary. “We will do whatever is necessary to correct the imbalance.” This should be changed by the planned reform. “We will not deviate an inch from that,” said Netanyahu. He described the President’s compromise proposal as “unbalanced”.

Source: Stern

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Posts