Israel on the Verge of Constitutional Crisis
Israel is facing a full-blown constitutional crisis as the protest movement increases pressure to stop the government from implementing a judicial overhaul. This would weaken the Supreme Court and end its ability for judicial review, allowing the ruling coalition full control over nominating judges.
נדב איל Nadav Eyal
Columnist, @yediotahronot and @ynet. International affairs, ME and some of the rest. Commentator @newsisrael13 TV. *Author: #Revolt, @eccobooks, 2021.
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1/Israel is on the verge of a full-blown constitutional crisis. THREAD (video from the protests).
— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 17, 2023
The protest movement is increasing pressure to stop the government from implementing a judicial overhaul aimed at weakening the supreme court, practically ending its ability for pic.twitter.com/mU9VOPdfas -
2/ judicial review, allowing the ruling coalition full control over nominating every judge and ending the independence of legal advisors in the public service.
— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 17, 2023
This week, President Herzog attempted to present a compromise, but the government and Netanyahu rejected it immediately -
3/The government is determined to pass the bills by the end of the month, while the protest movement grows in power and support. Former heads of Israeli intelligence and nuclear commission have spoken out, warning of dire consequences.
— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 17, 2023 -
4/The former head of the Israeli secret service, Shabak, has given an interview to @Uvda_tweet, attacking his former boss and explaining that Netanyahu is responsible for the crisis. This week I interviewed the former head of Israel's nuclear commission (his tenure ended 7.2022)
— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 17, 2023 -
5/The Commission is responsible (according to foreign sources) for the country's military nuclear program. He had never given an interview before, but recently wrote a letter to the Prime Minister warning him that the country is spiraling out of control.
— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 17, 2023 -
6/He told me that he fears for the country's very existence.
— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 17, 2023
When I asked him about the alleged final guarantee of Israel's security, its nuclear weapons (according to foreign sources), he maintained his position. In brief, he told me that Israel is in dire need of US support, -
7/and that the best and brightest in Israel must be involved in the defense of the country. He stressed the importance of democracy for both the strength of Israeli society and its international position. Analyzing Israel's drift away from shared values with the US, he called
— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 17, 2023 -
8/on the Prime Minister (who nominated him to Israel's most secret position) to immediately stop the legislation, saying he lost all trust in the PM - including in regards to Israel's sensitive issues.
— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 17, 2023 -
9/Tomorrow, hundreds of thousands of Israelis will protest across the country, yet again. The government may dilute the reform slightly to make it appear more moderate, but this will convince very few. After it passes the Knesset, the legislation
— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 17, 2023 -
10/ will come before the supreme court, which is likely to invalidate some laws.
— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) March 17, 2023
However, senior coalition figures have openly talked about refusing to accept a possible ruling. Israel's democracy hangs in the balance, and this is a watershed moment for the country.