Yariv Levin and Esther Hayut
Yariv Levin and Esther HayutShir Torem and Olivier Fitoussi/Flash 90

Officials in Israel’s judicial system are unimpressed by the coalition's attempts to imply that the judicial reform will be watered down, Kan 11 News reported on Saturday night.

According to the report, the officials argue that the reform was put together without discussion and was imposed on them and on Supreme Court President Ester Hayut days after it was introduced.

In addition, members of the judicial system were unhappy that they heard about the press conference of Justice Minister Yariv Levin, in which he announced the reforms, through the media.

On Friday, senior officials in the Likud said that the plan presented by Levin is not final, and that "there will be changes in the reform".

According to the same sources, the plan was not intended to pass as is, but there is room for maneuver.

The comments by the Likud officials are also in line with what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday afternoon about the process being a lengthy one, and that the Knesset's Constitution Committee will discuss the reform and hear all the positions for and against it. While there will be very significant changes in the judicial system, the Likud officials said, they do not have to be radical.

On Thursday, in an unusual statement, Hayut strongly criticized Levin's proposed judicial reforms.

"This is an unbridled attack on the judicial system, as if it were an enemy that must be attacked and subdued. This is a plan to crush the judicial system. It is designed to deal a fatal blow to the independence of the judiciary and turn it into a silent authority," she said.

Levin later fired back, saying that Hayut’s criticism was proof that his proposes reforms are necessary.

"I am obliged to hold a comprehensive dialogue with the representatives of all sections of the people in order to reach the best and most balanced result. Millions of citizens, and I am among them, are determined to restore the balance between the government's branches and restore trust in the legal system in Israel," he stressed.