Nadav Argaman, the former head of Israel's Shin Bet internal security agency, has publicly supported military reservists refusing to serve in protest against the government's judicial overhaul plans. This statement comes just days before the parliament is scheduled to vote on a crucial piece of the legislation and has drawn sharp criticism from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ultranationalist allies.
A parliamentary committee recently advanced a bill that would limit the Supreme Court's power to overturn government decisions deemed "unreasonable." This standard is intended to protect against corruption and unsuitable appointments. The bill is a central component of Netanyahu's judicial overhaul and is expected to face a final vote next week.
Amidst mounting pressure to halt the plan, Netanyahu addressed the nation in a prime-time news conference. He and his supporters argue that the overhaul is necessary to rein in what they see as excessive power held by unelected judges. Critics, however, contend that the legislation will consolidate power in the hands of Netanyahu and his allies, weakening the country's system of checks and balances. They also point to Netanyahu's ongoing corruption trial as a conflict of interest.
The proposed changes have deeply divided Israeli society and prompted calls from US President Joe Biden for Netanyahu to seek a broader consensus before enacting any legislation. Since the overhaul was introduced in January, widespread protests have erupted, with business leaders warning of potential negative impacts on international investment. Numerous reservists in critical military roles, including fighter pilots, commandos, and cyber warfare specialists, have threatened to cease their service.
Argaman expressed serious concerns about the direction the country is heading, stating that Netanyahu seems more focused on maintaining his coalition with ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties than on the welfare of the state. He voiced fears of a potential civil war and stressed the need to stop the legislation. He expressed understanding for the reservists' concerns about the future of Israeli democracy, stating that they view their refusal to serve as a way to defend the country's democratic principles.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a prominent Netanyahu ally and ultranationalist settler, criticized Argaman's remarks. The judicial overhaul plan, introduced shortly after Netanyahu returned to power following the November elections, has exacerbated existing political divisions within Israel. Netanyahu briefly paused the legislation in March due to widespread demonstrations and labor strikes but resumed the process after compromise talks with opposition lawmakers failed. Recently, there has been a surge in calls from military reservists to refuse service if the legislation passes.
Opponents argue that eliminating the "reasonableness" standard would allow the government to make unsuitable appointments without proper oversight and potentially enable Netanyahu to dismiss the current attorney general or appoint officials who could help him evade his corruption charges. Netanyahu currently leads the most ultranationalist and religiously conservative government in Israel's history.
