The President of Israel seeks to prevent a "constitutional crisis" because of Netanyahu's reforms

Israeli President Isaac Herzog warned Sunday that his country was facing a "historic constitutional crisis" over a controversial judicial reform plan and said he was mediating between the parties involved.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently began his sixth term, wants to restrict the work of the Supreme Court, which members of his national religious coalition accuse of overreaching its powers and elitism.

Opponents of the plan, who protested on Saturday, say the reforms will diminish the independence of the judiciary, encourage corruption, roll back minority rights and deny Israeli courts the credibility to help stave off war crimes charges abroad.

"We are in the midst of a deep rift that is tearing our nation apart. This rift worries me deeply, just as it worries many throughout Israel and in the (Jewish) diaspora," Herzog said in a statement.

"I am working around the clock, by all means, and making sustained efforts with interested parties with the aim of enabling broad, informed and respectful discussion and dialogue," added Herzog, whose position does not include executive powers.

"I am now focused on...two critical roles that I believe I have as president at this time, averting a historic constitutional crisis and ending the continuing discord within our nation," he added.

Netanyahu did not address Herzog's proposal during televised remarks during his weekly cabinet meeting.

He said that previous governments from across the political spectrum sought judicial reforms, "but no one thought at the time to talk about the end of democracy."

He pledged to allow for an "extensive discussion" in a parliamentary review committee in which the opposition is represented.

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