Herzog hopes compromises will make Israel stronger

Negotiations between Israel’s government and the opposition over judicial reforms could move Israel towards a “stronger and more resilient [democratic] structure”, President Isaac Herzog has said.

Compromise talks are being mediated by the President after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed the plans in late March because of criticism from Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and mass protests and a general strike against the overhaul.

In an interview with The New York Times, Mr Herzog said the negotiations represented “potential for a constitutional moment” in the country.

Israel does not have a constitution. Its democracy is instead built on four branches: the presidency, parliament, the ministerial cabinet and the judiciary.

“I’m carrying a certain historic burden on my shoulders … I’m perhaps the only element in Israeli public life that all parties can feel free to come and speak to and confide with,” said Mr Herzog.

The government’s judicial reforms include plans to limit the power of the courts – including the Supreme Court – and give the government more control over the selection of judges and legal experts.

Protests against the overhaul have divided the country since a new government came into power in December.

Every Saturday for three months, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets, with other days of mass action interspersed with the regular protests.

The situation reached breaking point towards the end of March when a general strike and warnings from the country’s security cabinet about the overhaul’s effects on Israel’s safety forced Mr Netanyahu to delay the process until parliament begins its summer session at the end of April.

Mr Gallant was sacked after he said that Israel’s enemies were emboldened by the country’s social divisions.

He was reinstated after terrorist attacks in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Mr Herzog restated fears that enemies regard internal divisions as a sign of weakness.

The president, whose position is normally largely ceremonial, has called for dialogue and calm.

Last month he released a compromise plan that was rejected by the government.