Israel’s political factions opposed to embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began setting up negotiating teams Tuesday after he paused a controversial judicial overhaul plan that had set off unprecedented street protests and a spiralling domestic crisis. But compromise seemed elusive and Netanyahu’s legacy was on the line, in a standoff over the fundamental issue of what kind of country Israel should be — and positions only appear to have hardened.
Three months of demonstrations against the overhaul plan intensified this week and Israel’s main trade union declared a general strike, leading to chaos that shut down much of the country and threatened to paralyse the economy.
Netanyahu in a prime-time speech on Monday night acknowledged the divisions roiling the nation and announced a monthlong delay for the legislation. Within hours, analysts pointed out that firing his defence minister Sunday night heightened the outrage and sank Netanyahu’s approval among his own Likud party - which left Israel’s longest-serving leader with few choices.
“He understood that he’s in a dead end,” said Yohanan Plesner, president of Israel Democracy Institute. “And Netanyahu, who is very experienced, understood that now is the time for correction.” In his address, the premier said he wanted “to avoid civil war” and would seek a compromise with political opponents. Netanyahu spoke after tens of thousands of people demonstrated outside the parliament building in Jerusalem.
His announcement appeared to calm some of the tensions that have fuelled months of unrest. But it failed to address the underlying issues that have polarised Israelis. Netanyahu leads the most right-wing government in Israeli history and and his allies have vowed to enact the legislation.
“I feel relief but with doubt,” Fega Gutman, Tel Aviv resident, said Tuesday. Netanyahu over the years “promised us a lot but didn’t always fulfill, unfortunately.”
The pause gave many Israelis time to consider the challenge ahead.
“I feel good today, everything calmed down from yesterday,” said Maor Daniel, also from Tel Aviv.