Herzog tries to calm judicial reforms crisis amid widespread protest

President Isaac Herzog confirmed that he is trying to find a solution for the conflict caused by Benjamin Netanyahu's government's judicial reforms in a statement on Sunday morning.

"We are in the midst of a deep conflict that is tearing the people apart," he said. "This conflict worries me and it worries a big part of people in Israel and the Diaspora.

"The foundations of Israeli democracy – which include the justice system – are sacred and we must protect them at all costs even when there are arguments and debates on principle about the relations between the authorities. I appreciate all the arguers, all those involved, the protestors and the public involvement in this important debate. I respect the criticism of me, but at the moment, I am focusing on two critical jobs that I believe are imposed on me as president of the state at this time: Preventing a historical legal crisis and preventing the continued division of the people."

Herzog added that as the President's Residence is the only place that still has the faith of all the people, it was well-suited to mediate and find a solution that is acceptable to everyone.

"In the last week, I have been acting all the time and in every way in non-stop attempts with the relevant people in the hope of creating a dialogue and a wide-spread conversation that is attentive and respectful, and I hope to show results," he said.

He added that he wasn't sure how well he will succeed but that he wouldn't allow anyone to harm the principles of the Declaration of Independence or the Jewish and democratic outlines of the state.

"I commit to continuing to do my best, and I hope that we can find the right way to come out of this difficult crisis," he ended.

Ehud Barak expresses doubt about Herzog's success

In an interview with KAN Reshet Bet on Sunday morning, former prime minister Ehud Barak spoke about Herzog's attempts at mediating in the crisis, saying "I'm sure of one thing – Herzog's genuine intent to do this. He's a man who has the ability to connect between people."

Despite this, Barak expressed doubt that Herzog would succeed.

Large protests against the judicial reforms have taken place on Saturday nights for the past couple of weeks and have included thousands of people as well as being attended by politicians from the anti-Netanyahu bloc.