Pod Save America Hosts Call on Democrats to Cut All Israel Military Aid, No Longer Accept AIPAC Funding
Jews, Israelis Targeted in Austria Amid Surge in Antisemitic Incidents; Local Jewish Community Calls for Action
‘All of Our Strength’: Over 1,000 Pro-Israel Activists Gather in DC for Solidarity Conference
‘Devastated’: Wesley LePatner, Killed in Manhattan Mass Shooting, Was a Jewish Communal, Philanthropic Leader
Sen. Angus King Vows to No Longer Vote for Israel Military Aid Until Gaza Conditions Improve
Europe Won’t Pressure Israel to ‘Commit Suicide’ Amid Gaza Backlash, Palestinian State Push, Says Israeli FM
Israel’s National Soccer Coach Attacked in Athens Before Soccer Fans Chant ‘F–K Israel, Free Palestine’ at Match
New York Judge Sentences Neo-Nazi to 5 Years for Livestreaming Bomb Threats Against Jewish Hospitals
US Pressures Lebanon to Issue Cabinet Decision to Disarm Hezbollah Before Talks Continue
UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Meets Conditions, Starmer Says
Cabinet Nixes Amendment Allowing Prime Minister, Defense Minister to Declare War
Error: Contact form not found.
by JNS.org
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman seen at a meeting of the Likud Beitenu faction in the Knesset (Israeli parliament) in Jerusalem on March 11, 2014. Photo: Miriam Alster/FLASH90
JNS.org – Members of the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet agreed Wednesday to withdraw controversial legislation allowing the prime minister and defense minister to declare war without government approval in “extreme situations.”
Such “extreme” situations, according to the now-shelved amendment, could arise in the event that there is no time for cabinet-wide deliberations or if sensitive information could become compromised if shared with the cabinet ministers.
Under the previous law, before the amendment was passed on April 30, it was the cabinet that had the power to declare war.
The measure was revisited following public criticism, as well as concerns expressed by members of the government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked proposed to roll back the amendment to its original form, which would permit the Security Cabinet to make the decision in certain circumstances without authorization from the full government, but not the prime minister and defense minister alone.
The motion to withdraw the amendment will be brought to a vote at the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday.
The top-secret forum is mandated to have at least seven members including the prime minister, defense minister, foreign minister and justice minister. It currently has 10 permanent members.
