MKs from Labor and Kadima slammed government plans to change the protocol for decision making in the government, to be discussed Sunday by Ministers, MK Yitzchak Herzog, chairman of Kadima, said that the rule changes were unbecoming for a democratic form of government. “The Prime Minister is first among equals, and should not be given excess powers.” Herzog added that for decades, decisions were made under the current rules, and the country was able to meet challenges appropriately. Labor head Shelly Yechimovich said that the changes would “endanger democracy” in Israel.
The government is to vote on a series of procedural changes that would give more power to the Prime Minister to set the government's agenda during cabinet meetings, increase secrecy, and make it easier for him to pass decisions. He will also be able to postpone the implementation of government decisions, or advance them, and the process by which such decisions are made could be shortened dramatically. Political commentators said that the decisions were designed to give the Prime Minister more decision making authority in the event of a national emergency – such as an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.