(March 6, 2023 / JNS) Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid and National Unity Party chief Benny Gantz rejected on Monday any negotiations over the government’s judicial reform proposal unless the accompanying legislative process grinds to a complete halt.

“All our outreach for the sake of Israeli unity has been met with rejection and refusal. Israel stands at the threshold of a national emergency, and [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu refuses to stop,” Lapid and Gantz said in a joint statement.

“We greatly respect and appreciate the efforts of the president to reach broad talks and agreements. But in order to hold honest and effective negotiations that will lead to the preservation of democracy and the unity of the people, Netanyahu must announce a complete, comprehensive and genuine halt to the legislative process. All attempts at shortcuts fly in the face of real dialogue,” they added.

President Isaac Herzog earlier Monday told a gathering of some 100 municipal officials that a compromise judicial reform proposal was nearly complete, and called on lawmakers to find common ground.