Israel’s Parliament Approves Controversial Bill Limiting Supreme Court Powers

Introduction

On Monday-Tuesday, Israel’s parliament approved on first reading a key clause of a controversial bill limiting the powers of the Supreme Court in a new episode of its series of approvals for the amendment, leading to one of the largest popular protests in Israeli history.

The text, which was adopted on first reading on the night of Monday to Tuesday, aims to eliminate the ability of the judiciary to decide on the “reasonableness” of the government’s decisions.

Government’s Justification

Although the bill is facing fierce opposition, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims it aims to balance power by reducing the powers of the Supreme Court in favor of parliament.

And the text was adopted in the first reading at a meeting where unrest reigned, and he scored 64 votes, that is, the number of representatives of the government coalition. All 56 opposition deputies voted against the text.

The deputies also approved in the first reading another disputable point concerning amendments to the procedure for appointing judges.

Before the debate began, several protesters entered the Knesset headquarters, requiring their removal by force, and hundreds of protesters demonstrated in front of the headquarters.

Opposition’s Criticism

In a Facebook video posted by Netanyahu, the prime minister said the bill “is not the end of democracy, but rather its strengthening.” He continued: “This will not infringe on the rights of the courts or the rights of the Israelis… The Court will continue to review the legality of government decisions and appointments.”

But opposition leader Yair Lapid, leader of the centrist Yesh Atid (There is a Future) party, denounced the bill in a speech to lawmakers.

He said, “You promised to help the weak and protect the security of Israel… You do nothing but this madness.”

And the opposition announced on Tuesday a national day of mobilization against the bill, which will be voted on in the second and then in the third reading.

The text, approved on first reading, especially concerns the appointment of ministers: in January, a Supreme Court decision forced Netanyahu to fire the second man in the government, Aryeh Deri, who was convicted of tax evasion.

Netanyahu’s government, which was formed in late December, is trying to pass a judicial reform project aimed at strengthening the powers of the Knesset at the expense of the judiciary.

The government believes reform is necessary to bring about a better balance between powers, but its opponents see it as a threat to democracy and its institutional safeguards.

“Day of Wrath”

An opinion poll released by a public channel on Sunday showed that 31% of Israelis support judicial reform, while 43% oppose it.

Massive Protests and Opposition

The proposed draft has sparked massive protests, some of the largest in Israeli history, as tens of thousands of demonstrators continue to take to the streets every Saturday night to express their opposition to the proposed amendment.

And last Monday, protests reached Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, where protesters beat drums, used trumpets, and carried placards that read, in one of them, in English, “Democracy will prevail.”

Protest organizers have called for a day of anger against the government on Tuesday if the text is passed.