The plea by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who last night publicly called for an end to his own executive judicial reforms, illustrates how opposition to the plan is growing within Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, which could lead to a government crisis if the rift widens.

Gallant’s statement, which yesterday said it was necessary to stop a controversial project that would undermine the separation of powers and the independence of Justice in Israel, opened Likud’s ban for others with a similar position to express themselves publicly.

It represents internal opposition to its own leader, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the coalition government’s plans to promote judicial reforms despite massive street protests against the plans and the discontent of opposition parties.

Gallant’s objections to the reforms join those of another strong Likud MP, former Speaker of Parliament Yuli Edelstein, who signaled that he would not support reforms if a vote were called next week.

This meant that the parliamentary majority for promoting the project was reduced to 62 deputies in the (Knesset) Chamber from 120, just one more than the minimum majority of 61 seats needed to pass legislation.

However, three other Likud members reportedly supported Gallant’s call. These are the Minister of Agriculture, Avi Ditcher, and deputies David Bitan and Eli Dalal, although they have not stated whether they will vote for or against reform.

If at least two people do not support him, this will leave the coalition without a majority to push for the action, potentially plunging Israel into another government crisis and further instability.

Tensions are particularly high because of the divisions generated by the judicial reform, key to the political agendas of the Israeli right and the far right, and which are opposed by the liberal sector and other population groups in Israel, where social polarization has been further exacerbated.

Gallant’s remarks last night were as Netanyahu wrapped up his official visit to the UK, from which he returned today. So far the prime minister has not commented on the matter and has summoned the forces that make up his coalition for a meeting.

The reaction to Gallant within the Government was not expected. The head of National Security, far-right Itamar Ben Gvir, urged Netanyahu to remove him, while he was also roundly criticized by other Likud members.

On the other hand, the leader of the opposition, former prime minister Yair Lapid, praised Gallant’s position, and asked the government to negotiate with opposition parties to reach a reform compromise with the mediation of the president, Isaac Herzog.

According to reports, Netanyahu is now planning to remove Gallant from office, or remove him from the Security Cabinet if he does not support the plan.

In the coming days, the coalition government plans to speed up voting on another key bill in the justice reform package, which would give the government de facto control over the judges’ selection committee, creating more political tension.

Critics of judicial reform argue that this would empty the powers of the Supreme Court, as it would take away the power to overturn acts or norms approved by the Government that are deemed unconstitutional. According to critics, this would de facto end the separation of powers in Israel and deal a blow to the formal foundations on which Israel’s democracy rests. EFE and Aurora