Report: Judicial reform talks nearing compromise deal

Coalition and Opposition reach agreements on future of reasonableness standard and the status of ministerial legal advisors.

Israel National News      May 17, 2023, 7:49 AM (GMT+3)

Negotiating teams from the Opposition and Coalition who have been meeting at the president’s residence for talks aimed at reaching an agreement on judicial reform have made significant progress towards a deal, according to a report Wednesday morning.

A report by Reshet Bet said that the two sides have reach an accord over two key issues: the future use by courts of the reasonableness standard, and the status of ministerial legal advisors.

The resolution of these two points, the report continued, has allowed negotiators to focus entirely on the most contentious issues, including the makeup of the judicial appointments committee, and the proposed judicial override.

In addition to the agreements on the reasonableness standard and the status of legal advisors for government ministries, the two sides are also nearing compromises regarding the amendment of Basic Laws, as well as raising the bar for judicial review of Knesset laws.

Despite the progress, however, the Opposition has reportedly refused to make piecemeal agreements – formally backing those areas where compromises have already been reached – and is insisting that it is committed to an all-or-nothing approach.

“We are committed to maintaining a stable and democratic Israel and will not compromise on the depoliticization of the judicial system,” the National Unity party said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, there is no progress, and there will be no agreements until the issue of the committee for selecting judges is resolved.”

The chairman of the Knesset’s Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee, Simcha Rothman (Religious Zionist Party), one of the architects of the judicial overhaul, said Tuesday evening that he is “pessimistic regarding the chances of reaching an agreement.”

Instead, he continued, “the reform will move forward one law at a time, based on the decisions of the Coalition faction leaders. The Opposition has become enamored with protests, at the expense of the country.”

The talks resumed Tuesday, after the president’s aides first met separately with representatives of the Coalition and the Opposition, before the two sides met face to face.