A week after passing the law to cancel The Clause of Reasonability and against the backdrop of calls for dialogue and agreements from within the coalition, the leader of the opposition, Yair Lapid, addressed today (Sunday) the discussions surrounding the judicial reform and set a condition for returning to talks. In his remarks, he called for anchoring a one and a half-year freeze law during which the negotiations will take place at the President's residence.
"During the past few weeks, and especially during the last week, I made every effort to reach broad agreements with the government and the coalition. There were many people, both within the protest and within my own party, who did not like it," said Lapid. "I respect their opinion, but it was my duty to try. I believe that we must make every effort to prevent the disintegration of the army, the collapse of the economy, and a rift among the people of Israel. It is true that the primary responsibility lies with the government, but if we have an extreme and messianic government that cannot be relied upon, at least we in the opposition should make every effort to prevent the disintegration of the State of Israel."
According to him, "On Monday, both the President and I thought that there was already an agreement ready for signing. But then Yariv Levin and Ben Gvir threatened to break up the government. The Prime Minister panicked, gave in to them, and The Clause of Reasonability passed in the most extreme form possible."
"Since the law passed, the government is talking about returning to negotiations. This is exactly what the expression 'murder and also inherit' was written about. How are we supposed to believe you again? Right now, you have proven that you cannot be trusted," he added and criticized. "My role, and the role of the entire opposition, is not to arrange visits for Netanyahu to The White House and not to calm the rating agencies that Netanyahu lied to. If the government wants to reach broad agreements, the burden of proof is on them."
In continuation, Lapid turned to the Prime Minister and proposed, "The only possible solution, and the only thing that will enable a return to negotiations, is a legislative freeze. The government and the opposition should jointly legislate an 18-month freeze during which the negotiations will take place at the President's residence. Even during these 18 months, it will be possible to legislate laws related to judicial oversight and the separation of powers, but only with a two-thirds majority - meaning a genuine agreement between the coalition and the opposition, and among all segments of the people."
"Such a freeze was part of the agreement we were about to sign, so the government should not have a problem signing it. It is also a clear interest of Likud members of Knesset who understand that without it, they cannot continue," he concluded. "As long as there is no legislative freeze, there is no point and no logic in talking about other laws or other agreements because it is clear that the government will again back away at the last moment. Netanyahu, show that you control your coalition and that you can take steps for the good of the country. Once this law passes, we will re-enter negotiations with a genuine desire to fix what needs fixing."
