The Likud party has sided with Justice Minister Yariv Levin in the dispute between him and Economy Minister Nir Barkat. In response to the recent discussion about a constitutional crisis, a Likud spokesman stated that it highlights the need for legal reform to restore balance between authorities. Likud maintains that the High Court has no authority to intervene in the amendment to the basic law governing judge appointments. The Likud also insists there is no reason for a constitutional crisis to occur. Despite voting with coalition discipline, Barkat expressed his support for the Supreme Court’s supremacy over the decisions of the Knesset and the government, in contrast to Levin who believes the Knesset should decide. Barkat pledged to respect the court’s decision in the event that the High Court of Justice rejects amendments to the reform. Barkat reaffirmed his commitment to diversifying the composition of judges for the benefit of Israeli citizens while also maintaining the importance of upholding the state’s institutions.
In the dispute between Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Economy Minister Nir Barkat, the Likud takes Levin’s side.
“The absurd discussion about a constitutional crisis only illustrates how necessary the legal reform is to restore the proper balance between the authorities,” the Likud spokesman said at noon (Tuesday).
With reference to the question of whether the High Court should be obeyed in case it invalidates the legal reform laws, Likud gives a general answer, which goes along with Levin’s line:The High Court of Justice has no authority or reason to intervene in the amendment to the basic law that determines how the judges will be appointedjust as he did not intervene in the past when the law was amended over a decade ago.”
The Likud also adds: “The principle that the Supreme Court does not have the authority to invalidate fundamental laws appears in all the outlines, including the president’s outline, and it will be anchored in the legal reform. Therefore, there is no room for a constitutional crisis.”
Barkat vs. Levin: In the case of invalidation of a law – I will obey the High Court
In response to what Yariv Levin said yesterday according to which in the event that the Supreme Court rejects the laws of the legal reform, the court’s ruling should not be obeyed – Economy Minister Nir Barkat today publishes completely opposite statements.
Barkat, who is considered by many on the left to be the weak link in Likud that can be pressured regarding non-support of the reform laws, votes with the coalition discipline, but expresses his opinion in favor of the Supreme Court’s supremacy also over the decisions of the Knesset and the government, in contrast to Levin who believes that the Knesset decides.
“The corrections in the Israeli legal system are a necessity, chief among them is the diversity of judges and giving expression to the human mosaic that makes up Israeli society. I fully support the required corrections in the judicial system and there is no room for the High Court’s intervention or the invalidation of Knesset legislation on this issueE, at the same time: I do not in any way support walking blindly into a constitutional crisis in Israel. The interest of the State of Israel is above all else for me, that’s how I was brought up, as a soldier, as an officer and as a citizen,” Barkat published today.
Barkat, Netanyahu and Levin (Yonathan Zindel/Flash90)
In case of disqualification – I will respect the court’s decision as a language
“In the event that the High Court of Justice unfortunately rejects the amendments as part of the reform – I will respect the court’s decision as it stands. I will not lend my voice and hand to the chaos in which the citizens of Israel will lose confidence in the government and justice systems at the same time.
I believe that we will find the way with broad agreement to diversify the composition of the judges for the benefit of the citizens of Israel. As someone who fought for the State of Israel and lost commanders and soldiers in battles for Israel’s independence, I tell you with a commitment: I will stop the bodies of fratricidal war and the disintegration of the state’s institutions.”