Likud Coalition Chair Opir Katz Vows to Push Judicial Reform Fully After Elections

Opir Katz, chairman of the Likud coalition, spoke in a recent interview about the party's internal challenges and the ongoing judicial reform efforts. He acknowledged that the party had been "too gentle" with the judicial reform during the current term and promised that after the upcoming elections, Likud would pursue the reforms "to the end." Katz addressed the turmoil within Likud, including the heated primary elections and a failed internal attempt to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after the October 7 massacre. He described the attempted no-confidence move as "shameful" and said it would have worsened Israel's situation during the war.

Katz defended Netanyahu's demand for an unusually high number of reserved spots on the party list, explaining that the decision was democratically approved by over 70% of the party's central committee. He emphasized Netanyahu's central role in bringing votes to Likud and leading the campaign. Katz also recounted the intense efforts to pass key legislation before the Knesset's dissolution, including late-night calls to bring members to vote, highlighting Netanyahu's leadership and determination.

Regarding the judicial reform protests, Katz contested media portrayals of widespread public fear, stating the demonstrations were exaggerated and that the party was too restrained in advancing the reforms. He promised that if Likud forms the next government, it will continue with the reforms, the national inquiry committee, and the conscription law without stopping. Katz also commented on Netanyahu's call for a "broad national government" based on Likud's core principles, excluding Arab parties and Mansour Abbas.

Katz dismissed the threat posed by a new party formed by former Likud members like Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein, calling it a "satellite party" and reaffirming that true Likud supporters vote only for the original party. He stressed the importance of increasing voter turnout among right-wing voters to secure victory in the upcoming elections.