The Likud and Blue and White parties on Tuesday agreed to revise a number of clauses in their agreement to form a new government, after Israel’s High Court of Justice signalled they could be struck down.
In a deliberation process beginning on Sunday, an expanded panel of 11 judges, presided over by Chief Justice Esther Hayut, reviewed petitions filed against Benjamin Netanyahu remaining Prime Minister due to his indictment in three corruption cases.
The court deliberated for seven hours, which in a rare instance was also broadcast live. On Monday, the justices reconvened to hear petitions arguing that aspects of the Blue and White-Likud coalition agreement are unconstitutional.
The High Court of Justice indicated Monday that it could strike down some clauses of the unity deal signed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and Benny Gantz’s Blue and White. This includes those that expand the so-called “Norwegian Law” and set a six-month period during which almost no legislation that isn’t coronavirus-related could be advanced, and during which there would be no full-time appointments for senior roles.
The court invited Likud and Blue and White to consider changing clauses in the coalition deal relating to those matters, and come back with a response within 24 hours.
In their response to the court, the parties said they would shorten a proposed six-month freeze on senior appointments to 100 days and that their coalition deal would not prevent passage of legislation unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic during this period. They will instead add a sentence to their agreement clarifying that virus-related laws would be given preference.
Netanyahu and Gantz signed the coalition agreement to form a national government last month. According to the deal, Netanyahu will serve the first 18 months as Prime Minister and Ganz will serve as Deputy PM and Defence Minister. After 18 months Gantz will take over as PM for the next term. It is the first time in 36 years that Israel will have a rotating Prime Minister.
Netanyahu’s trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust will begin on 24th May at the District Court in Jerusalem. Under Israeli law, a Prime Minister may remain in the job while criminal proceedings against them are being deliberated in the courts and until a final verdict is reached, including all levels of appeal.
