Government Sources Criticize Netanyahu Over Judicial Reform Amid Yaron Zelekha Interview

In a recent interview with C14, Professor Yaron Zelekha revealed details from a lengthy meeting he had with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just before the outbreak of the October 7 war. During the meeting, Zelekha claimed Netanyahu expressed frustration with Justice Minister Yariv Levin, saying, "He is complicating me with the reform," referring to the judicial reform Levin was promoting at the time.

Following Zelekha's statements, multiple inquiries were made to Netanyahu's office to verify whether the Prime Minister indeed held such a view. However, the Prime Minister's office did not provide a clear denial of the claim, leaving the assertion unconfirmed but not refuted.

Sources close to Justice Minister Levin responded to the interview by suggesting that if Zelekha's account is accurate, it would indicate that Levin did not receive the full political backing he needed to advance the judicial reform. These sources noted that Levin faced challenges not only from opposition parties but also within the coalition, implying that Netanyahu himself may have been hesitant to fully support the reform initiative.

This internal government tension highlights ongoing difficulties in pushing forward the judicial reform, with Levin's position appearing politically vulnerable even within his own government. The episode adds to the complex dynamics surrounding the reform and Netanyahu's leadership during a critical period.

No independent verification of the conversation between Netanyahu and Zelekha has been made public, and the claims remain based on Zelekha's account from a private meeting.