Netanyahu vows to unite Israel but opponents dismiss pledge

By JOSEF FEDERMAN and ILAN BEN ZION
Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is determined to end the divisive crisis over his plan to overhaul the country’s judiciary. But he gave no details on how he plans to do so and his opponents quickly rejected his pledge. He spoke Thursday after Israel’s parliament passed the first of several laws that make up the contentious plan. The law would protect the Israeli leader from being deemed unfit to rule because of his corruption trial and claims of a conflict of interest. Protesters demonstrated again Thursday to raise alarm over what they see as the country’s descent toward autocracy.