MK Tzvi Succot (Religious Zionism) set up a makeshift parliamentary office on Thursday at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, a focal point of recent demonstrations against the government's judicial reform plan.
MK Succot spoke until the middle of the night with opponents of the reform who passed by his office in the square. According to Succot's office, the Tel Avivians, who were surprised to see the makeshift office, approached the MK and spoke respectfully and objectively.
Succot heard from opponents who announced that they would not report for reserves duty and told them that he also supports legislation under consensus, but if there is no partner for dialogue, it is impossible to reach a consensus, and the government cannot capitulate and create a norm where it is possible to defeat the government.
MK Succot intends to set up his office at the square again on Sunday and will stay there until the end of the legislation process.
"The discussions at the President's Residence were ended by the opposition, and it's their responsibility to return and talk unconditionally," Succot told the opponents.
"Just like last week, I was happy to speak to opponents of the judicial reform, and I heard their fears and pain. We will continue to unconditionally lead discussions of unity, and we will be happy to return to dialogue immediately following the legislation to reduce the reasonableness standard."
He emphasized: "We will not allow the minority to set the state's agenda. This is not democracy."
Last week, MK Succot spoke with protesters on Kaplan St. outside the Knesset in Jerusalem. The demonstrators spoke with the MK and explained their fears regarding the judicial reform.
Succot, on his part, answered them why it was decided to reduce the reasonableness standard and stated, "Yair Lapid and other MKs also understand that it is unreasonable that the court can annul any decision by elected officials only because they claim it's 'not reasonable.'"