Berlin 'concerned' by Israel judicial reform tensions: FM source

Focus

25 Jul 2023 07:45am

Demonstrators take part in a protest in solidarity with tens of thousands of Israelis protesting in their country against its government's contentious judicial overhaul vote the following day, at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany on July 23, 2023. Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Jerusalem to oppose Netanyahu's proposal to curb the powers of judges, which critics fear will undermine Israel's democracy, while lawmakers started discussing a major plank of the package. (Photo by Adam BERRY / AFP)

BERLIN, Germany - Berlin is following tensions over judicial reform in Israel with "great concern", a foreign ministry source said on Monday.

Israel's hard-right government on Monday pushed through parliament a key clause of its controversial judicial reform package despite months of mass protests.

"Out of deep solidarity with Israel and its people, we look with great concern at the deepening tensions in Israeli society," the source said, adding Berlin invited the Israeli government to take action which might yet produce "consensus" on the thorny issue.

"Especially after today's adoption of the first part of the planned judicial reform, it remains important that a broad social debate be given sufficient time and space to enable a new consensus," the source said.

"All sides, especially the government, must contribute to this," they added.

A traditional ally of Israel, Germany has of late been more and more open in voicing its concern over the move.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition allies approved the bill earlier on Monday following a stormy parliamentary session, which saw opposition lawmakers boycott the decisive vote which passed with 64 of 120 chamber votes.

Critics say the judicial revamp could open the way to more authoritarian government by removing checks and balances on the Israeli executive.

It aims to limit the powers of the Supreme Court in striking down government decisions which the judges deem "unreasonable". - AFP