“I am not angry with Netanyahu, and it is not a matter of anger. I am fighting to legislate laws that to the best of my knowledge are important to Israel. His propaganda and poor arguments will not affect me. Bibi does not care about democracy or the state – Bibi cares about Bibi.” This is what Justice Minister Gideon Saar says in an interview with Maariv.
According to the minister, “The very fact that Netanyahu addressed the nations of the world in an English-language video and slandered Israeli democracy is a scandal in itself. I do not remember a precedent in which a former prime minister or opposition leader passed a debate on Knesset legislation to the international community.”
In an interview, Saar referred to the Search Law, which was recently passed in the first reading in the Knesset. The law is expected to expand the powers of police officers to search homes of suspects without a court order. “The bill only applies to cases of danger of destruction of evidence. It is part of a series of laws designed to give law enforcement agencies effective tools to deal with rising crime in Arab society. In this area there has been a decade of total neglect and the results are seen by all.”
Saar was asked about Netanyahu’s criticism of this law and said that “his behavior is the height of impudence. Bibi’s claim that the ‘new defender of democracy’ is ridiculous on several levels. The government headed by him submitted a much more far-reaching law to the Knesset in 2014. In a promiscuous way, while spreading lies as if any policeman could enter any home. “
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He added that “Netanyahu has previously supported a proposal to limit the term of office of prime minister. During Ehud Olmert’s term as prime minister, Netanyahu voted in favor of former MK Ophir Pines’ proposal that anyone indicted could not serve as prime minister. How did all this become a danger to democracy? “
Asked if the minister had an explanation regarding Netanyahu’s conduct, the minister replied that “we see a person who has lost all discretion and is taking actions that cannot be explained rationally. The video he uploaded also shows what an amok attack he is in.”
When Saar was asked whether, assuming Netanyahu would resign from the Likud, an alternative government would be formed, he replied that “I do not want to address theoretical questions. In any case, I do not believe that Netanyahu intends to retire from political life and I see no signs of having such an intention.”
Referring to the issue of the corona and the omicron virus, the minister said, “I am of the opinion that wherever significant damage is caused by the virus there should be a mechanism of economic compensation. It is impossible to make health decisions about the corona without considering the economic consequences.” Encourage vaccines for a fee of NIS 1,000 per vaccinated child – YS). I vaccinated my children aged 5 and 8 (David and Shira) without hesitation, and I call for all children to be vaccinated. “
The full interview tomorrow in the “Current Plus” section of “Maariv-Weekend”
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