Tourism Minister Benny Elon (National Union) has written a letter to Justice Minister Tomy Lapid (Shinui) expressing the importance of establishing a constitutional court for deciding legal issues that have far-reaching ramifications on the national level. Elon critisized Lapid’s intention to fight against the idea of establishing such a court.
Elon in his letter said that a constitutional court would be a means to establish a more wide-range consensus regarding the key political and social issues facing the nation:
“Establishing a constitution is a important and difinitive interest for Israel, but doing so out of cultural coercion reminds one of the dark periods and regimes of the last century. A constitution and constitutional issues have to be determined by means of the widest possible consensus that represents the general public, and not a minority that believes that role of the majority, under the best of circumstances, is to pay taxes and die.
“There can be no consensual constitution if agreement is lacking regarding the body who is entitled to interpret it and overturn laws made by elected representatives. The Knesset, as you know, will never hand over such power to the Supreme Court.”
Elon reminded Lapid that section 12 of the Likud – National Union coalition agreement provides for the establishment of a commission to be headed by professor Yakov Neeman that will speedily study the proposal to establish a constitutional court that will ensure the stablility and effeciency of government.”
Elon ended his letter expressing his belief that “with cooperation we can arrive at a consensus that will be acceptable to the general public in Israel.”
Elon in his letter said that a constitutional court would be a means to establish a more wide-range consensus regarding the key political and social issues facing the nation:
“Establishing a constitution is a important and difinitive interest for Israel, but doing so out of cultural coercion reminds one of the dark periods and regimes of the last century. A constitution and constitutional issues have to be determined by means of the widest possible consensus that represents the general public, and not a minority that believes that role of the majority, under the best of circumstances, is to pay taxes and die.
“There can be no consensual constitution if agreement is lacking regarding the body who is entitled to interpret it and overturn laws made by elected representatives. The Knesset, as you know, will never hand over such power to the Supreme Court.”
Elon reminded Lapid that section 12 of the Likud – National Union coalition agreement provides for the establishment of a commission to be headed by professor Yakov Neeman that will speedily study the proposal to establish a constitutional court that will ensure the stablility and effeciency of government.”
Elon ended his letter expressing his belief that “with cooperation we can arrive at a consensus that will be acceptable to the general public in Israel.”