Israel’s parliament on July 24 approved a law that limits the Israeli Supreme Court’s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions.
The law includes a provision that prevents judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they’re “extremely unreasonable.” The law taking effect would mean that the Supreme Court wouldn’t be able to review decisions, such as the termination of officials, on grounds of being unreasonable.
The law, part of a plan backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that would change the judiciary, was passed in a 64–0 vote after opponents walked out rather than voting against it. The first procedural vote was 64–56.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the architect of the plan, said parliament had taken the “first step in an important historic process” of overhauling the judiciary.
Other parts of the plan include a bill that would let a majority of the parliament overturn Supreme Court decisions and a law that would enable parliament to select judges.
The Movement for Quality Government, which opposes the law, quickly asked the country’s highest court to act against the law over it allegedly being unconstitutional.
“The government of destruction has raised its malicious hand against the State of Israel, and they are threatening to destroy everything we have built here in the last seventy-five years,” Eliad Shraga, the movement’s chairman, said in a statement.
Mr. Netanyahu, 73, and his allies say the changes are needed to curb the powers of unelected judges and restore the balance of the three branches of government.
Critics say they’re unnecessary and fueled by personal and political grievances of Mr. Netanyahu—who’s on trial for corruption charges—and his partners.
Demonstrators have protested against the planned changes, including blocking a road leading to parliament. Some companies, including gas stations, closed in protest ahead of the vote. And thousands of military reservists have declared their refusal to serve.
“We are headed for disaster,” Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition in the parliament, said before the law was approved.
By Zachary Stieber
