Right-wing voters deserve for their leaders to be able to implement the ideology for which they were elected.
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Reforming Israel's judicial system has been on the agenda for over a decade, if not more. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, and certainly his political partner Ayelet Shaked, ran on similar platforms even before the first round of elections in 2019.
Head of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Simcha Rothman has been carrying this flag since he first appeared in the public arena, as did Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who in my many conversations with him over the years was clear beyond the shadow of a doubt about his plans.
The goal is clear: the new government is seeking to diversify the Supreme Court with judges from the traditional, Mizrachi, ultra-Orthodox and Ethiopian sectors and to restore the balance of power between the legislative, executive and judicial branches, so that the final say does not depend on three judges, however respected.
This way, Israelis of different backgrounds will feel that they are represented by someone in the court who shares the same values. Moreover, diversifying the legal system will also allow for different opinions to be presented when discussing issues critical to Israelis, which will, in turn, lead to greater public trust.
But the proposal has led to such strong opposition that it is threatening to divide the nation. President Isaac Herzog put it aptly, when he said, "If just one side wins, we all lose. The State of Israel will lose."
The Right wants to actualize its election victory by promoting the reform, but the Center-Left wants to win by doing away with it. No negotiations, no talks, no mediation – just a one-sided victory.
Given the intensity of the protests and the damage the divide is inflicting, a gesture of goodwill is needed. And such a step can only be taken by the winning side, yes, even though it does not have to as it has the majority and the power.
As for the Left, it needs to understand that it cannot expect the Right to give up on its ideas and hope to achieve a victory by taking to the streets.
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