Rothman: Judicial Reform Is a Result, Not Cause, of Societal Rift
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
MK Simcha Rothman, Chairman of the Constitution Committee, stated that the judicial reform is a result, not a cause, of Israel's societal rift. He claimed the reform was advanced with a willingness for compromise, but the opposition's boycott and the Supreme Court's actions hindered progress. Rothman also discussed efforts to establish an inquiry committee for the October 7th failures, which faced opposition. A prior dispute over scheduling a committee discussion on October 7th terrorists on the anniversary itself was also mentioned.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- MK Simcha Rothman stated the judicial reform is a result, not the cause, of Israel's societal rift.
- Rothman claimed the reform was advanced with significant willingness for compromise from his side.
- He criticized the Supreme Court for undermining agreements and not adhering to the Basic Law: Judiciary.
- Rothman attempted to advance a bill for an October 7th inquiry committee, but it was blocked by the opposition.
- The Constitution Committee proceeded with a discussion on prosecuting October 7th terrorists on the anniversary, despite requests to postpone.
- Rothman emphasized that in a democracy, the majority decides when agreement cannot be reached.
Chairman of the Constitution Committee, MK Simcha Rothman, stated on Friday that the justice system "is not sacred and needs fixing," asserting that the judicial reform was advanced with "great willingness for agreement from our side." Speaking at a cultural event in the Megiddo Regional Council, Rothman addressed accusations regarding the societal rift, criticism against him, and the October 7th failures, as well as efforts to establish an inquiry committee. He argued that the "judicial overhaul, or the judicial reform, did not cause the social rift, it is the result of it." Rothman contended that those blaming him and Yariv Levin for the events of October 7th are "simply denying everything that happened here before, the prolonged rift that existed long before." He attributed the four consecutive elections to a lack of willingness for cooperation. Rothman described the compromise reached on the core of the reform as "a big compromise," stating that while they were prepared to concede significantly, it was insufficient. He emphasized that in a democracy, "the majority decides" when agreement cannot be reached. Rothman also criticized the Supreme Court, claiming it "cancels all agreements and undermines agreements," and that it "clarified it is not bound" by the Basic Law: Judiciary, which was determined by the Knesset. He noted that the opposition's boycott of the Constitution Committee's discussions led him to proceed with his agenda unilaterally. Regarding an inquiry committee for the October 7th events, Rothman acknowledged a problem with its non-establishment, despite his role as Constitution Committee chair not directly involving military failures. He attempted to advance a bill for appointing committee members by 80 Knesset members, but it was filibustered by the opposition and will be deferred to the next Knesset. He stressed the need for a committee whose conclusions would be trusted by the entire nation. The article also references a prior dispute over scheduling a committee discussion on prosecuting October 7th terrorists on the actual anniversary, with MKs Gilad Kariv and Tali Gottlieb requesting a postponement, which Rothman ultimately did not grant, stating the discussion proceeded as planned.
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