Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Liberman on Friday blasted opposition leader Yair Lapid and National Unity chairman Benny Gantz for contemplating a return to negotiations towards a compromise on the government’s proposed judicial reform.
Liberman’s comments followed Gantz’s call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to return to the negotiations as the coalition advanced the bill amending the reasonableness standard.
Speaking to Channel 12 News, Liberman said of Gantz and Lapid, "This is simply a national irresponsibility, the crossing of a red line they themselves set."
"After the vote on the Judicial Selection Committee and the ensuing chaos, both of them stated that as long as the Judicial Selection Committee does not convene - there is nothing to talk about regarding a return to the negotiations," Liberman added, accusing Gantz and Lapid of "trying to please public opinion instead of leading it."
The Yisrael Beytenu chairman argued that the only agreement that the coalition and the opposition must reach is on a constitution for Israel, based on three principles: Separation between religion and state, equal burden and compulsory studies of core subjects in all institutions.
"I am not ready to talk about anything except a constitution," he stated. "To once again discuss one clause or another is simply a mistake - it causes both the protest and the opposition to fail."
Liberman was asked about statements by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, one of the leaders of the protests against the government, who said that he expects volunteer reservists not to report for duty if the legislation of the judicial reform continues.
"There is no room for refusal," clarified Liberman. "I am calling from here to all the people - don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. We must not reach the point of refusal to serve. I oppose this and call on everyone to continue to serve."
(Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)