Israel’s Netanyahu accuses Opposition of seeking to overthrow his government – Middle East Monitor

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Opposition on Thursday of seeking to overthrow his “democratically elected” government amid nationwide protests against his government’s judicial reform plan. Anadolu News Agency reports.

“We are trying to reach a compromise, but the opposition has refused so far, because the issue is not legal reform. They want to overthrow a democratically elected government,” Netanyahu told reporters at Ben Gurion Airport, ahead of leave for Italy on a 3 day Visit.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-right coalition plans changes to the judiciary that would include limiting the powers of the Supreme Court. Netanyahu says this will restore balance between the branches of government, but critics see it as an attempt to undermine judicial independence.

Speaking to reporters, Netanyahu said, “We will do our best to prevent disruption of life and we will not allow them to overturn the decision of the majority,” accusing the Opposition of trying to descend the country into chaos .

Later, Netanyahu wrote on Telegram: “We will not let them disturb the peace of Israeli citizens; we will not let anyone disturb democracy.”

The leader of the opposition, Yair Lapid, responded to Netanyahu’s post in a tweet saying “Even on the steps of the plane, on his way to an unnecessarily wasted weekend at the expense of the state, Netanyahu cannot stop lying”.

“The government has not allowed any attempt at negotiation, and continues to push for legislation that will turn us into a messianic, extremist and democratic state,” he said.

Hundreds of Israelis protested in their cars on the roads to Ben Gurion Airport to prevent Netanyahu from reaching it, prompting Netanyahu and his wife, Sarah, to leave aboard a helicopter from West Jerusalem to Ben Gurion.

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