Israeli House passes law to limit judicial power amid protests

IsraelParliament on Monday approved the first judicial reform bill sought by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after the latest settlement effort collapsed and failed to ease a constitutional crisis that has engulfed the country for months.

The amendment, which limits the powers of the Supreme Court to overrule some government decisions if it deems them “illogical,” passed by a 64-0 majority in the 120-member parliament after the opposition abandoned the session in protest, some of whom shouted: “To shame!”
Thousands of demonstrators who swarmed Jerusalem flooded a highway near parliament, clashing with police who cleared the way by dragging them across the asphalt and using water cannons, including spraying a foul-smelling substance. By evening, demonstrators took to the streets of cities across the country. A coalition of 150 major corporations, including the country’s largest malls, closed their doors in protest before voting began.

Critics say the amendment was rushed and would open the door to abuse of power by removing one of the few effective checks on executive power in a country with no formal written constitution. The amendment is part of plans announced by the government in January, shortly after it was sworn in, setting in motion months of unprecedented nationwide reform. protests and stir up anxiety among allies abroad over Israel’s democratic health. But Moredeadlock looms large. Within minutes of the vote, a political watchdog group and the centrist opposition leader said they would appeal against Law in the Supreme Court.
The crisis has deeply divided Israeli society and crept into the military, with protest leaders saying thousands of volunteer reservists will not go to serve if the government goes through with the plans and former senior officers warning that Israel’s preparation for war could be in jeopardy.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the architect of Netanyahu’s package of reforms as needed to bring more balance between the branches of government, appeared undeterred. He said, “We have taken the first step in the important historical process of reforming the judicial system and restoring the powers that were taken from the government and the Knesset.” Netanyahu later proposed delaying the rest of the judicial reform plan until late November, to allow time for talks. “In the coming days, the coalition will communicate with the opposition, with the aim of holding a dialogue between us,” he said. The leader, who was in the hospital on Sunday to get a pacemaker, delivered his statement from his office.