Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has assured the public that there will not be a civil war in the country, despite ongoing mass protests concerning judicial reforms. His statement comes in response to concerns raised by Israeli President Isaac Herzog earlier this year.

The heart of the conflict lies in a recent amendment to Israel’s judiciary, which limits the Supreme Court’s power to overrule governmental decisions it deems unreasonable. Critics argue that this amendment weakens the authority of the top legal court and opens the door to potential abuses of power. It is important to note that Israel does not have a formal written constitution, relying instead on a set of basic laws.

Netanyahu defends the amendment, stating that it corrects an imbalance in Israel’s democracy where the judiciary has taken on powers belonging to the executive and legislative branches. He believes that once the dust settles, people will realize that Israel’s democracy has been strengthened, not weakened.

Netanyahu dismisses claims that the legislation was rushed, emphasizing his ongoing efforts to seek compromise. However, the protests have persisted for months, resulting in clashes with the police and numerous arrests. Even Israeli reservists have joined the demonstrations, pledging to refuse their volunteer service if the judicial overhaul proceeds.

The United States, a major ally, has expressed concern over the recent vote, but Netanyahu insists that the Israeli-U.S. relationship remains strong. He acknowledges that President Biden preferred achieving reforms through consensus but maintains that the decision ultimately rests with elected officials in Israel.

Netanyahu believes that normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia would be a significant milestone, following the Abraham Accords that improved ties with other Arab countries. However, he remains tight-lipped about any potential negotiations with Riyadh. The Saudi government has shown signs of prospective thawing, with some Arab nations already establishing ties with Israel, but they have emphasized the need for progress in resolving the Palestinian issue.