In recent days, Netanyahu realized that the chances of reaching agreements on certain issues were slim, at least as long as Gideon Sa'ar was in the region, and instructed the negotiating team to put proposals on other issues as well, chief among them the explosive issue: the composition of the judicial selection committee.
According to the proposal brought before the opposition on Tuesday and first published last month in Israel Hayom, the committee will have 11 members: five from the coalition, five from the opposition, and a retired judge who will be the decisive vote, appointed by the justice minister. This is a far-reaching proposal that is doubtful whether it will be able to change the reality of the Supreme Court in the coming years. But for now - this is the proposal. It was placed on the negotiating table at the president's residence without going through the justice minister. In other words, Yariv Levin did not know that this proposal had been put forward, and moreover, he opposes it at all.
The talks at the President's House, photo: Kobi Gideon/GPO
Judicial Selection Committee (Archive), photo: None
Fortunately for Levin, chances are that this proposal, like everyone else, will be rejected by the other side. Even if he remains in office alongside Netanyahu, it appears that the gaps between the two have widened without the ability to narrow.
Outwardly, they convey unity and maintain each other's dignity. As if what existed between them, an intimate relationship of confidants, remained the same. That's really not the case. When Levin speaks harshly about the need to advance the reform immediately after the budget – as when he called on the masses to come to the million-dollar demonstration in favor of the reform in Jerusalem – his remarks are not directed to pressure the opposition or as a general declaration of intent, but directly against Netanyahu.
Netanyahu and Levin (archive), photo: Oren Ben Hakon
The prime minister refuses to say what he will do if the opposition blows up the talks. He claims he is doing this so that he will not later be accused of causing opposition members to flee by putting a gun to their temples. Those close to Levin see Netanyahu's lack of commitment as a sign that he is looking for a way to get off the reform, or at least its main points.
Full column tomorrow in "Israel This Week"
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