President Isaac Herzog of Israel warned in a rare prime-time speech on Sunday that the country is on the verge of “constitutional and social collapse” over a government plan to reduce the power of the judiciary.
Herzog, known more as reliably dull than alarmist, was speaking of a widespread concern that the change planned by the new government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is so radical that it raises doubts about the future of Israel’s democracy, its appeal to foreign investors and ties to its strongest allies.
“The absence of dialogue is tearing us apart from within, and I’m telling you loud and clear: This powder keg is about to explode,” Herzog told the nation. “This is an emergency.”
