Netanyahu, Levin deny reports that judicial reform compromise on way

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Justice Minister Yariv Levin denied reports on Monday that the Likud had agreed to a judicial reform compromise proposed by President Isaac Herzog.

A statement from the President's Residence on Monday evening said that "in the last few weeks, the president has made a special effort to prevent a judicial crisis and present a solution that would preserve democracy and the unity of Israeli unity."

The statement added that "as part of the efforts, the president has held talks with coalition and opposition leaders with the goal of encouraging dialogue that would lead to broad agreements."

The statement stressed that no agreements had been reached yet.

Netanyahu-approved proposal

A report by N12, however, claimed that Netanyahu had already given his okay for a proposal. This proposal reportedly included renewed legislation on a softened reasonableness standard law, no change to the Judicial Selection Committee, and freezing of all reform legislation for a year-and-a-half.

Soon after the report, both Netanyahu and Levin categorically denied the existence of such a proposal or the fact that they had agreed to it.

The announcement of renewed negotiations attempts comes as the High Court of Justice is set to hold two pivotal hearings related to the judicial reform this month.

On September 12, the High Court will hear petitions against the law to change the reasonableness standard which passed at the end of July. With the passing of the amendment to the Basic Law: Judiciary, the High Court can no longer strike down administrative decisions made by the prime minister, the cabinet, or a minister due to it being deemed highly unreasonable.

Petitions were filed against the amendment as soon as it was passed, and on Monday, Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara urged the High Court to strike it down in what would be a first as the High Court has never struck down a basic law amendment.

A week after the reasonableness standard hearing, the High Court will once again convene, this time to hear petitions against Levin's refusal to convene the Judicial Selection Committee.

Reforming the committee is next on the reform agenda, the coalition said after they passed the reasonableness standard amendment, and Levin has refused to convene the Judicial Selection Committee until the reform is passed.

If the committee is not convened, Israel will see 53 open judge positions waiting to be filled by the end of the year, including two High Court justices which will lead to an overload on the judicial system.

Eliav Breuer contributed to this report.