JEDDAH: There was mounting tension in Israel on Thursday ahead of a key vote in the Knesset on Monday on controversial judicial reforms proposed by Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition government.
The former head of Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency, voiced support for military reservists refusing to serve in protest at the plans. Nadav Argaman said Netanyahu appeared committed to preserving his coalition rather than the state itself.
“I’m very worried that we’re on the verge of a civil war,” he said. “We need to stop this legislation by any means.” Protesting reservists were “very concerned and fearful for the security of the state of Israel.”
Critics of the reforms say they will concentrate power in the hands of Netanyahu and his allies and undermine Israel’s system of checks and balance. They also say Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, has a conflict of interest.
The proposal has bitterly divided the Israeli public and drawn appeals from US President Joe Biden for Netanyahu to slow down and wait for a broad national consensus before passing any legislation.
Tens of thousands of Israelis have joined mass protests against the overhaul since it was proposed in January. Business leaders have said the plan will drive international investors away, and scores of reservists have threatened to stop reporting for duty.
Netanyahu froze the legislation in March following weeks of demonstrations and mounting labor strikes, but rebooted the judicial overhaul in recent weeks after talks seeking compromise with opposition politicians failed.
The prime minister said on Thursday that efforts continued to reach consensus. “I truly hope these efforts will succeed but even if they don’t, the coalition’s door to the opposition will remain open always,” he said.
