Israeli President Reuven Rivlin Urges Benjamin Netanyahu to Halt Legal Overhaul
Israel’s president, Reuven Rivlin, recently called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cease the legal overhaul, bringing to the surface the clash between the two leaders and their separate political ideologies.
Background
Reuven Rivlin is the tenth president of Israel and a former cabinet minister and Knesset member. Rivlin is a public figure in the country and serves to uphold the law, while enacting both his own ideas and projects related to the Israeli society. Benjamin Netanyahu is the current prime minister of Israel, elected in 2009, and served previously in the government roles in the military and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Underneath the Political Ideology of Israel’s Leaders
Politically, Rivlin and Netanyahu differ in their policy and ideologies. Netanyahu is a right-wing leader, who follows a path of settling Israel’s borders with the occupied territories and security of the state. Rivlin is identified as center-right, who favors Jewish orthodox values.
Rivlin and Netanyahu’s Legal Conflict
Rivlin and Netanyahu have clashed over the legal reforms the prime minister has tried to implement recently. Netanyahu approved a series of suggestions to amend some of Israel’s Basic Laws, which act as its constitutional framework and set out the constitutional powers held by its branches of government, the boundaries between those powers, and other ministers.
The Amendments Proposed by Netanyahu
The changes suggested by Netanyahu would largely increase the power of the Prime Minister and his cabinet, transferring executive authority away from the Knesset and Supreme Court, which are parts of the government controlled by Rivlin as president.
This includes limiting Supreme Court authority to reject Knesset decisions and stripping the court of powers to regulate the agenda of the Knesset, regulations which are currently handled primarily by the Knesset Speaker and the President.
Netanyahu has also proposed to amend Article 7 of the Basic Law, which outlines the limitations placed on the Prime Minister when dismissing a minister or minister with the status of a deputy minister, allowing them to do so without the approval of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation.
Reuven Rivlin’s Response
Rivlin, who has previously expressed his disapproval of the reforms, has formally expressed his opposition to the plans, fearing that the current government’s plans to revise Basic Laws are creating a legal vacuum. He has requested that Netanyahu, who has expressed support for the legal changes, suspend the approval of any new regulations and the current legislation that is being discussed by the Knesset.
Netanyahu’s Response to Rivlin
Netanyahu, who is keen to push through these reforms, has rejected Rivlin’s request and views them as a direct challenge to his authority. The two leaders have butted heads multiple times before, with a major recent clash occurring when Rivlin ordered Netanyahu not to interfere in an important case related to the arrest of a journalist.
Netanyahu responded with a lengthy rebuke against Rivlin’s actions. However, this time Netanyahu has decided to remain quiet and ignore the president’s statement.
The Rabbis have Weighed In
Jewish Orthodox religious leaders considered Rivlin’s demand as a key part of their campaign to prevent any reforms from taking place. They have expressed their support for the president, making it clear that any proposal that would weaken the authority of the Supreme Court or the Knesset would be strongly opposed by the vast majority of religious and political figures.
The Impact of Rivlin’s Request on the Legal Community
Rivlin’s request to halt the legal overhaul has had a large impact on the legal community. Attorneys, law professors, and judges have expressed their support for Rivlin’s stance and their opposition to any attempt by the government to weaken the judicial system. The legal community continues to be highly vocal in their criticism of the government and its attempts to alter the Israeli legal system.
Rivlin’s Actions vs. Israeli Constitutional Framework
Rivlin’s actions have been seen as a means of protecting the Israeli Constitution and preserving the checks and balances of Israeli democracy. It is difficult to say whether Rivlin’s appeal will have any effect on the Israeli government’s legal changes. However, his vocal opposition and the support of religious leaders could ultimately make a difference and put pressure on the government to reconsider its current plans.
Recent events have revealed the clash between the two leaders, Reuven Rivlin and Benjamin Netanyahu, and their ideologies. Rivlin’s criticism of the government’s plans to alter the Israeli legal system signals his opposition to any changes that may weaken the judiciary and judicial power. Therefore, it is too soon to tell what effect Rivlin’s appeal might have on the Israeli Reforms. However, with his vocal opposition and the support of religious leaders, there is hope that political pressure will be placed on the government to reconsider its plans.
