"I hear the reactions to the outline I presented from all ends of the spectrum, and I accept every substantive criticism with love and enormous respect," Israel's President Isaac Herzog said in a statement on Thursday morning.
On Wednesday evening, Herzog presented what he called the “People’s Directive,” a comprehensive document intended to end the current conflict in Israel over the government’s proposed reforms of Israel’s judicial system.
"I suggest that everyone [read] the outline and my speech in-depth and see how it really presents a good alternative for Israel," said Herzog on Thursday.
Herzog continued: "The 'People's Directive' that I presented is a proposal - a platform for discussion on the basis of which we can work, change and refine - this is not the end of the discussion; rather, it is only the beginning.
"Everything is for the good of reaching a broad agreement in Israeli society as quickly as possible in order to avoid [further] division between us, in order to bring about national consensus, to calm emotions and bring about dialogue."
"Everything is based on the love of Israel that we see here," concluded the president.
Lapid, Histadrut chief warn against rejecting Herzog's reform outline
Opposition leader Yair Lapid met with the Histadrut labor federation chairman Arnon Bar-David on Thursday morning, according to a statement from the Yesh Atid chief.
"I spoke this morning with...Bar-David about the risk posed to the Israeli economy following the government's blatant rejection of the president's outline," said Lapid.
"The chairman of the Histadrut expressed full support for the president's outline and for efforts to reach a compromise that would prevent ...fatal damage to the Israeli economy," he continued.
Lapid concluded his statement, saying: "We will continue to fight for a strong and democratic Israel for the sake of the Israeli citizens."
Eliav Breuer contributed to this report.