High Court cancels hearing as PM agrees to Gantz as justice minister
In a dramatic u-turn, Netanyahu releases statement saying he supports Blue & White leader for the position and wants to avoid deadlock; adds he will table cabinet session on Sunday to fill rest of ministerial vacancies
Ynet |
Updated: 04.28.21 , 17:05
Hours before the High Court of Justice was due to decide on the legality of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s attempts to install a justice minister from his own party, the premier announced Wednesday afternoon he supports the appointment of Blue & White leader Benny Gantz for the position.
The court later said that the hearing scheduled for Wednesday afternoon had been cancelled.
Raoul Wootliff is the The Times of Israel s political correspondent.
Head of the Religious Zionism party Bezalel Smotrich gives a press statement in the Knesset, in Jerusalem, April 4, 2021. (Olivier FItoussi/Flash90)
Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich warned Wednesday that the public will “fight for their independence and sovereignty” if Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit moves to disqualify Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister following a cabinet vote that Mandelblit deemed illegal.
The High Court of Justice on Tuesday temporarily froze the appointment of Likud MK Ofir Akunis as justice minister, hours after the cabinet led by Netanyahu openly defied Mandelblit’s forceful warnings.
1 shares
Defense Minister Benny Gantz (left) and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the swearing-in ceremony for the 24th Knesset, April 6, 2021. (Knesset spokesperson)
The High Court of Justice, responding to a petition by a government watchdog, on Sunday urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz to appoint a permanent justice minister within 48 hours. It said it would convene on Tuesday if the appointment was not made by then.
The proposal was part of a compromise offered by Chief Justice Esther Hayut at the beginning of a hearing on a petition against Netanyahu and Gantz, who have allowed a series of government offices to remain without a minister running them, after the terms of several interim ministers expired.
Get email notification for articles from Netael Bandel
Follow
Apr. 25, 2021 6:37 PM
Israel s top court has given Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 48 hours to appoint a new justice minister, or else the court will discuss filling the post on its own.
A declaration filed with the High Court of Justice in Netanyahu s name committed to holding a debate on the matter within the given time period – however the declaration said that the prime minister will not commit to filling the position. The declaration was filed during a hearing on petitions demanding that unfilled ministerial positions be filled.
The justice minister post has remained empty since Gantz s term as acting justice minister lapsed on April 1. The appointment of a justice minister is a particularly sensitive issue, given that Netanyahu is currently amid an ongoing corruption trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust.