Australian leaders welcome suspension of judicial reform to allow for negotitions
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the Zionist Federation of Australia have welcomed the announcement by Israeli opposition leaders that they will engage in negotiations with the government following the suspension of judicial reforms.
ECAJ president Jillian Segal and ZFA president Jeremy Leibler said: “Our consistent and strongly-held position is that substantial reforms such as these should be undertaken carefully, with as much negotiation and consensus-building as possible.
We have watched with concern as Israeli society has been riven on this issue. We have been in awe of the hundreds of thousands of Israelis from across the political divide and from many sectors who have come together to protest week after week. We have watched them protest peacefully, with a deep love of country. We believe the same love for Israel is shared by those who support the judicial overhaul.
We urge all parties and sectors of Israeli society to come together now, out of their shared love of the country, to find mutual compromises, to build consensus and to enact reforms that the overwhelming majority of Israelis will support both now and into the future to sustain the reality of Israel as a democratic, Jewish state that respects the rule of law.
Israeli society and its political system have been severely challenged over these past few months and have demonstrated their strength and resilience. Now is the time for each side to acknowledge the genuine concerns of the other, and to seek a way forward in a spirit of compromise.”
AIJAC National Chairman Mark Leibler and Executive Director Dr Colin Rubenstein said, “We believe Mr Netanyahu has taken the responsible course of action. There is a strong case for limited reform of the legal system, for which the Government does have a mandate. However, it is important that such fundamental reform is carried out in a way that avoids any perceptions of overreach and that does not cause deep divisions in the community.
We hope that all parties will take advantage of this pause to negotiate in good faith to arrive at a reform package that strikes the appropriate balance between the right of the elected government to govern and the ability of the courts to provide the checks and safeguards necessary for a healthy democracy, and that is acceptable to a broad majority of Israelis.
“While the events of the past months have been disturbing for all of us who care deeply about Israel, they have also shown how passionate Israelis are about their country, and, once again, demonstrated the underlying strength and vibrancy of Israeli democracy. We trust that the eventual outcome will be one that further enhances Israel’s democratic system of governance,” they concluded.
Earlier this month, the Zionism Victoria executive endorsed the letter sent by the Zionist Federation of Australia and Executive Council of Australian Jewry to the Israeli Prime Minister which expressed “serious concern” over the judiciary proposal as well as other measures under discussion relating to religious pluralism and the Law of Return.
The letter called for a “pause to all of these controversial proposals so that constructive dialogue can occur, and a national consensus can begin”.
Welcoming Mr Netanyahu’s announcement, Zionism Victoria President Yossi Goldfarb said, “It has been deeply disturbing and alarming to witness the discord and unrest in Israel over recent weeks.
“That citizens could feel so alienated by, and hostile towards, their own government is particularly upsetting at a time that the country should be united in celebration of its 75th anniversary.
“Those sentiments have been mirrored by members of our own community, who have taken to organising protests registering their concern and outrage at the proposals put forward by the ruling coalition.”
Mr Goldfarb added, “With the demonstrations in Israel turning increasingly violent, there is certainly some relief that Mr Netanyahu has now agreed to pause his program of reform pending talks with those who feel they threaten Israel’s founding democratic principles.
“While he has insisted the measures will be reintroduced in some form, we are cautiously optimistic that compromise can be reached, and we call on all parties to do everything within their power to achieve this end, so that the distressing scenes we have witnessed on the streets of Israel can be avoided, and the rift in Israeli society can begin to heal.”
