President Yitzhak Herzog speaks at the European Union Parliament January 26, 2022 (Reuters)
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the European Union Joseph Borrell claimed in the discussion in the European Parliament about the Israeli government's plan to weaken the judicial system that the European Union's involvement in the matter is not an intervention in Israel's internal affairs.
This, since this is a reform that may affect the Union's evaluation and attitude towards Israeli democracy.
why is it important
This is the first time that a senior member of the European Union refers to the government's plan to weaken the judicial system.
The debate in the European Parliament was also very unusual.
Earlier today it was published in Walla!
Because the Ministry of Foreign Affairs distributed a message sheet to Israel's ambassadors in Europe ahead of the debate to repel international criticism regarding the legal revolution.
"Interference in Israel's internal affairs", Foreign Minister Eli Cohen (Photo: Reuven Castro)
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The page of messages received by the ambassadors to repel international criticism of the legal revolution
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In the news center
During the debate, a long line of European parliamentarians spoke out and criticized the government's plan to weaken the justice system.
Some members of parliament said that the European Union should stand by the protesters against the plan.
Another member of parliament said that the European Union should make it clear that if the plan is approved by the Knesset, it will have a negative effect on relations with Israel.
More in Walla!
The fortification law, the superseding clause and the law on the cancellation of secession were passed in the first reading
To the full article
"Israel is a vibrant democracy", European Foreign Minister Borrell (Photo: AP)
what are they saying
"I spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen this morning. He was not very happy about the existence of this discussion. He was concerned and asked why the European Parliament is interfering in Israel's internal affairs," said the European Union's foreign minister.
Burrell claimed that Cohen accused him of being responsible for the existence of the discussion.
"I tried to explain to the Israeli foreign minister in a friendly way that it makes sense that members of parliament would be concerned and schedule a discussion on such an issue," he said.
The EU foreign minister added that Israel is a "vibrant democracy".
"So vibrant that we saw five election systems there in three years," he claimed.
According to him, Israel is a key partner of the European Union, and the shared values between them are based on democracy and the rule of law.
"We expect it to continue," he said.
Burrell pointed out that there is a lively political debate taking place in Israel regarding the government's plan regarding the judicial system, and added that everyone can see on television that many Israelis are protesting against the plan.
"Both the government and the opposition use harsh language and it seems that a compromise will be difficult to achieve, but there are still attempts led by President Herzog," said the European Union's foreign minister.
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The legal revolution
The European Union
Europe
Eli Cohen