The Israeli Parliament approved on Monday an essential part of the judicial reform proposed by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite protests from various political and social sectors.
The vote took place after a convulsive session, in which the opposition deputies shouted “What a shame!”, before leaving the room, the government proposal being approved with 64 votes in favor and none against.
The reform determines radical changes that increase the powers of the Government in the judicial field, limiting the ability of the Supreme Court to challenge parliamentary decisions and modifying the way judges are selected.
Netanyahu and his government partners argue that changes are necessary and, from the beginning, have signaled that they would not change their position, despite strong social protests.
The protesters, who represent various sectors of society, see the reform as a power grab fueled by the personal ambitions of Netanyahu, who is on trial in a court case on corruption charges.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who was the architect of this reform, said parliament had taken “the first step in an important historic process” to reform the judicial system.
Now, more street protests are expected, with the Movement for a Quality Government – an influential civil society group – having already announced that it would challenge the reform before the Supreme Court.
“No one can predict the extent of the damage and social upheaval that will follow the passage of the legislation,” the group said in a statement.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog presented a new proposal this Sunday to try to reach an agreement on judicial reform, which provides for a 15-month postponement, an initiative that has been joined by opposition leader Yair Lapid.
Herzog’s proposal contemplated the paralyzation of the approval process of the judicial reform for a period of 15 months, according to Lapid explained and The Jerusalem Post reported.
However, Parliament decided on Monday to ignore this attempt to mediate in the conflict, advancing with its approval of a document that will continue to provoke popular protests and in various judicial, military and civil sectors.
Adding further pressure on Netanyahu, thousands of military reservists have declared their refusal to serve under a government that is taking steps that are seen as setting the country on the path of dictatorship.
In political terms, ahead of Monday’s vote, Yair Lapid stated his opposition in no uncertain terms.
“We’re headed for disaster,” Lapid said.
The vote came just hours after Netanyahu was released from hospital, where he was scheduled to undergo heart surgery, in a hospitalization that added even more drama to this parliamentary session.
While deputies debated in Parliament, tens of thousands of people gathered in rallies for and against the plan.
Source: TSF
