Re: Proposed Framework Regarding the Changes in Basic Laws
This letter pertains to the framework for a possible solution to the constitutional crisis.
We begin this letter by joining the sentiment expressed by many in Israeli society and conveying our deep appreciation of the President’s initiative to solve the crisis and work toward creating broad national consensus.
We believe that such a significant change in the system of government should be the outcome of wide agreement in the Israeli public and not through legislation processes that constitute coercion on the part of the coalition majority, and that may bring about a national rift. We believe that the President is the best host for the much-needed process of consensus building, given the public support and trust that the President enjoys.
We represent a large and diverse group of leading experts in law from all faculties and law schools in Israel. Among us are numerous experts on constitutional law, on design of constitutional amendment processes and on the substantive aspects of constitutional amendments.
We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet with the President and to present our proposal in detail, and to lend our expertise to designing the desirable procedure for carrying out the constitutional changes. We would also like to contribute to laying out the guiding principles that will underlie the constitutional amendments, in accordance with core democratic principles and the protection of human rights.
If a professional team of experts is formed to advise the President in this process, we respectfully request that representatives of this group will be invited to participate.
Attached in appendix 1 is our position concerning the framework for deliberation, and in appendix 2 our position concerning the guiding principles for an appropriate compromise.