High-tech seniors: Undermining confidence in our justice system might drive out investors

Senior officials in the high-tech industry called on the future Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday evening not to allow the enactment of the laws discussed in the last days in the Knesset, due to its "devastating" consequences for the economy and the high-tech industry in particular. According to them, "the undermining of confidence in the Israeli justice system and, as a result, in Israeli democracy, may discourage the investors who drive the growth of the industry."
"Legal stability is a necessary condition for international investors and helps them invest in certain countries. On the other hand, the lack of such stability drives them away from other countries," they explained in the letter to Netanyahu. "In their wake, we may also see an influx of technology companies, all of which are essentially international companies, outside of Israel, as well as their tax payments. Those like you understand and know that this could have devastating consequences for the economy and society in Israel."
"Do not give a hand to harm Israel's position in the world and the continued growth of the Israeli economy for the benefit of all the citizens of the country," they warned. "We demand that you stop the intensifying snowball, steady the ship and maintain the status quo between all parts of Israeli society."
The Knesset plenum is supposed to vote in the first reading on the bill that will allow Aryeh Deri to be appointed as a minister and will allow for the appointment of Bezalel Smotrich - who is slated to serve as finance minister - as an additional minister in the Ministry of Defense. Our reporter Ze'ev Kam says that the meeting started a few hours ago and the current coalition is using a filibuster to delay the vote as much as possible. Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar began speaking about two hours ago, and he is still speaking at this hour.
Last Tuesday, the designated coalition passed four laws in preliminary reading that will enable the formation of the government in accordance with the agreements between the various parties. The first bill that passed was that of MK Moshe Arbel of Shas, which would qualify the appointment of Deri as a minister, and would state that only those who have been convicted and sentenced to prison in practice cannot be appointed to the position of minister, but not in the case of a suspended sentence as in the case of the chairman of Shas .
Another bill that was approved in a preliminary reading is by MK Itamar Ben Gabir, which aims to anchor the subordination of the police and the commissioner to the government and the minister. This, except for investigations that the police are conducting. In addition, the proposal anchors the role of the Commissioner as being in charge of managing the Israel Police, its operation and the development of its capabilities, as well as establishing that he will perform his duties in accordance with the policy outline and general principles of the Minister.
The bill that allows an additional minister to serve in a government ministry was also approved in preliminary reading. This is a proposal aimed at preparing the infrastructure for subordinating the Civil Administration to the designated minister Bezalel Smotrich, and splitting the powers of the defense minister.