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Israel ‘on verge of collapse’ says former Mossad chief

Tamir Pardo issues warning as first reading of proposed judicial reforms was passed

March 16, 2023 12:00
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Israelis protest against the Israeli government's planned judicial overhaul in Tel Aviv on March 11, 2023. Photo by Erik Marmor/Flash90 *** Local Caption *** מחאה נגד הרפורמה המשפטית תל אביב הפגנה דגלי ישראל מפגיניפ
2 min read

With just one month until Israel celebrates its 75th anniversary, former Mossad director Tamir Pardo says the country is “on the verge of collapse” as the first reading of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed judicial reforms were passed in the Knesset plenum this week.

Pardo, who led Mossad from 2011-2015, wrote on the Jerusalem Press Club website: “The current divisive leadership, on the contrary, which is struggling to tear us apart from within, brings this state to a verge of extinction, ignoring the fact that our options to halt are running short.

"One cannot know for certain if there is even still time to stop now, before we fall off the cliff.”

The judiciary bill, which took until the early hours on Tuesday morning to pass, weakens the Supreme Court, protects the prime minister from being removed over non-physical or mental reasons, and allows for more settlements in the northern occupied West Bank to be built.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid, National Unity party chairman Benny Gantz, Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Liberman and Labor party leader Merav Michaeli all announced on Monday their intention to boycott future parliamentary votes on Netanyahu’s reforms.