IDF General Warned Protest Leaders of Security Threat, Prompting Compromise Talks

New details have emerged regarding negotiations for a compromise on the judicial overhaul legislation just before its approval in July 2023. Senior figures in the protest movement against the legal changes reportedly received a security warning from an IDF general. Following this warning, they agreed to consider a compromise proposal originating from the President's Residence.

According to reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later withdrew his support for the proposed compromise, and the Knesset subsequently passed the law. The events unfolded in July 2023, the day before the Knesset vote on the bill to cancel the reasonableness standard, amidst widespread protests against the judicial legislation.

Earlier reports indicated that the Chief of Staff had met with Netanyahu, who was hospitalized at the time, and delivered a security warning letter. Netanyahu's reported response was to direct the Chief of Staff to speak with protest leaders. The latest revelations confirm that a senior IDF officer did indeed contact protest leaders.

Several protest leaders allegedly received the security warning from an IDF general that night. Motivated by this information, they became willing to listen to the compromise offer from the President's Residence. Extended discussions about the proposal took place throughout the night, involving opposition representatives as well. Ultimately, the protest leaders agreed to move forward with the compromise.

However, the agreement reached that night did not halt the legislative process. As previously reported, Netanyahu subsequently backed away from the compromise offer. The following day, the Knesset approved the law to cancel the reasonableness standard. This new information reveals a communication channel between a senior IDF officer and protest leaders on the eve of the vote, and their willingness to pursue a compromise after receiving the security alert.