The Labor Party has reversed its stance on legal reform for negotiations and will now send representatives to the discussions at the President’s residence. Party chairman Merav Michaeli had previously tweeted that legal reform should not be discussed, but four representatives, including MK Gilad Karib and former Minister of Justice Avi Nissenkorn, will now attend the talks. Michaeli explained that the decision was made “precisely because we do not trust and believe in Netanyahu,” and the party wants to ensure the coup laws are not returned to the Knesset for a backdoor vote. The move was made with a heavy heart and not out of desire, but Michaeli believes it is crucial to protect Israeli democracy and the public interest.
After yesterday they mocked Netanyahu’s announcement about stopping legal reform for negotiations, today the Labor Party announced sending representatives on its behalf to the discussions at the President’s residence.
Just yesterday, party chairman Merav Michaeli tweeted that legal reform should not be discussed:For the avoidance of doubt: it is forbidden to agree to holding eyes called “temporary stop”. Do not fall into the trap. There is no such thing as a “half democracy”. The coup d’état laws must be shredded and shelved definitively and completely. Throw this abomination into the dustbin of history.”
And tonight, in a perfect 180-degree turn, the party announces that it will join the discussions at the President’s House with four representatives: MK Gilad Karib, MK Efrat Raiten, former Minister of Justice Avi Nissenkorn and Dr. Tamar Hostovsky-Brands.
It was done with a heavy heart and not out of desire
Following the raising of eyebrows over the round they made, Michaeli had to issue a statement clarifying the zigzag: “After much deliberation, we decided in the labor faction to send a negotiating team to the president’s house – precisely because we do not trust and believe in Netanyahu.
We will be there – to make sure from the inside that the coup laws are not returned to the Knesset for a backdoor vote. We will be there – to make sure that the position of the democratic camp, which came out in hundreds of thousands to the streets, will also be heard inside the closed rooms. We will be there – to demand the promotion of a bill of rights, to strengthen the status of the Knesset and to guarantee the independence of the judicial system.
It was done with a heavy heart and not out of desire. We considered continuing to shout from outside. But the thought that the public representatives will be able to concoct a combination there at the expense of Israeli democracy does not allow us to remain on the fence. The excellent and excellent representatives of the Labor Party sat there to protect Israeli democracy and the public interest.”