Netanyahu rejects any notion of civil war over judicial overhaul

Speaking at a memorial for the Irgun, Netanyahu says Israel must be able to defend itself against all threats on its own although would welcome superpower intervention; Gallant tells enemies security forces intent on defending Israel
Itamar Eichner, Daniel Edelson/New York|
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Sunday, rejected the notion that Israel could face civil war amid mass protests of his coalition's judicial overhaul.
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Netanyahu spoke at a memorial service for the members of the Irgun, a right-wing militia that existed in the years leading up to Israel's independence and fought against the British Mandate but was also in conflict with the Hagana, the precursor to the IDF.
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נתניהו: "גם היום- לא למלחמת אחים"
נתניהו: "גם היום- לא למלחמת אחים"
Benjamin Netanyahu
(Photo: Defense Ministry)
" Never civil war," Netanyahu said quoting the late Menachem Begin who was the leader of the Irgun and prevented his fighters from opening fire at Hagana forces. "There will be no civil war while the enemies are at the gate," Netanyahu said. "There will be unity," he said. "We must be able to protect ourselves by ourselves in the face of all threats and if a superpower chooses to join in our defense, we will welcome it," the prime minister said. "But we must be able to defend ourselves," he said.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant who was also at the event stayed in his speech away from the subject of the judicial overhaul.
Gallant who warned of the implications of the legislation for Israel's security, was unceremoniously fired by Netanyahu but the sacking never came to be and after weeks, was reversed.
"Iran is conducting a war of attrition against Israel, on multiple fronts and continues its efforts of entrenchment to our north," Gallant said. "At the same time, it is sending tentacles to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. "To our enemies, I will say clearly, our security forces are intent on defending the state," he said.
Coalition and opposition teams will begin substantive talks on Monday to find a compromise acceptable to both sides on the judicial overhaul. The talks began after Netanyahu announced he was temporarily halting the legislation in order to reach a broad agreement after public outcry and international condemnation.
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מייצג הנרצח הראשון בהפגנה נגד המהפכה המשפטית בתל אביב
מייצג הנרצח הראשון בהפגנה נגד המהפכה המשפטית בתל אביב
Protesting government judicial overhaul in Tel Aviv on Saturday
(Photo: Reuters)
Mass protests were staged on Saturday for the 15th week with hundreds of thousands coming out to oppose the coalition's proposed legislation that they view as an assault on the Supreme Court and on democracy.
Opponents of the government demonstrated in New York as well. Organizers said they suspected the prime minister of deploying aversion tactics and that he would resume his legislative push when the Knesset reconvenes in May.
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5.
Heartbreaking
Iran is no longer Israel's main enemy, we are today being destroyed by our own government
Dr Sol| 04.18.23
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4.
we are an average Israeli family...
some of the grandparents survived the holocaust, some of the grandparents fought with the Hagana, others with the Irgun. some of the aunts, uncles, parents were born here, others immigrated here....all served in the Israel Defense Force. Some of us are religious, some of us are secular. Some of us were "Labor Hawks" some of us were "Likud Doves" All of us believe in democracy. along the way we lost some family members to acts of terrorism, traffic accidents, and/or natural causes. We all talk to one another...sometimes in "Loud and Louder" but always with love...we are family. Irrespective of our political beliefs we all agree that Prime Minister Netanyahu's silver tongue has turned to clay, and that he is no longer Mr. Security. He's lost his way. All of us are willing to pay his pension so that for many years to come he will live well and healthy and far away from any government position! It is time for him to retire. Really and truly it is...we wish he would stop embarrassing himself and our nation. The rest? It's commentary. All of us cousins come in two
04.18.23
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3.
Out of touch
I don't know what happened to this man. He isn't the same Bibi of 10 years ago. He is delusional and completely out of touch with what is happening in our country. He better wise up pretty soon, or it's the end of our beautiful country.
Talula| 04.17.23
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