(MENAFN) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly backed down on some of his proposed reforms to the country's judicial system, following widespread protests by hundreds of thousands of citizens over the past two months. The announcement of the amendments came just one day after Netanyahu spoke with United States President Joe Biden, who is said to have called for a compromise on the issue.
The coalition government released a statement on Monday detailing several changes to the initial legislation, which was first put forward on January 4th. One of the most notable updates is a reduction in the number of government representatives on the Judicial Selection Committee, which is responsible for appointing judges to Israeli courts. This marks a significant departure from the original proposal, which called for an increase in government influence over the judiciary.
In response to the changes, Netanyahu has called on his opponents in parliament to abandon their plans to boycott ratification votes and to end their calls for further protests. The coalition government statement also extended an olive branch to those who seek national unity and a willingness to reach a mutually agreed upon accord.
The decision to scale back the proposed reforms is a clear indication of the immense pressure that Netanyahu and his government have faced from citizens, civil society groups, and international leaders alike. It also underscores the importance of public protest in shaping policy outcomes and holding elected officials accountable to the will of the people.
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