President Isaac Herzog delivered an address to the nation on Thursday evening describing his efforts to mediate a compromise on the government's planned judicial reforms, and also calling on the coalition to cease its efforts to pass the reforms in their current form.
"The set of legislation that is being discussed now needs to be erased in its entirety," Herzog said. "It is wrong and predatory, and undermines our country's democratic foundations.
"The sights we saw today are a nightmare for the country. Enough. I can no longer watch our nation being torn apart before our very eyes. What is happening here is a disaster. Citizens of Israel - I work for you, for you, and only for you. I see the sights and hear the cries that are addressed to me and have only one goal: to do everything I can to make it stop, and to find a solution. I accept with love every harsh and painful criticism, however difficult and painful it may be. But I want to make it clear that I will not give up. I will pay any price to find a solution, on the condition that it happens now. Because we don't have any time left."
Herzog added that, "I've been working around the clock for ten weeks now. I meet with everyone, even those who don't agree with me, even those who won't admit [that they have met with me]; I recruit everyone to the cause, even those who are afraid to take responsibility. I am doing everything I can to preserve Israeli society, everything I can to preserve Israeli democracy."
The president also claimed that an outline on judicial reform which enjoys a broad consensus can be reached soon. "Don't believe anyone who speaks in my name. When there is a presidential outline, you will hear about it from me in person. I can say the following right now: I managed to close many of the gaps between the two sides. There is agreement on most issues. True, not on everything, but on the overwhelming majority. It is certainly enough to justify abandoning the legislation in its current form, and to present a different outline, one that all can agree upon, to the Knesset's Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee in its place.
"There already exists the basis for a swift resolution in which the only winners are the State of Israel and its citizens. The set of legislation currently being discussed in the committee needs to be entirely erased, and fast. It is wrong, it is destructive, it undermines the democratic foundations of the country. Therefore, it must be replaced with another, agreed-upon outline, and immediately."
Addressing the coalition, Herzog added: "If you choose to continue on the path you have followed so far, you must accept responsibility for the ensuing chaos. History will judge you. Take responsibility and do so now."