The Israeli government this Monday approved a key clause of the controversial judicial reform, despite months of protest and concern from several foreign allies.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition partners passed the bill in a Knesset vote that was boycotted by opposition members, some of whom chanted “shame, shame.”
Critics accuse judicial reforms of undermining Israeli democracy by removing oversight of the executive, while the government argues it is necessary to curb legal excess.
The bill, which passed by 64 votes in the 120-seat chamber, aims to limit the Supreme Court’s powers to veto government decisions judges deem “unreasonable.”
This reform package sparked one of the largest protests in Israel’s history since it was unveiled by the government in January.
The bill passed hours after Netenyahu returned to the Knesset – just a day after he had surgery to have a pacemaker fitted – as police used water cannons outside to disperse the crowd.
President Isaac Herzog, who has been trying to negotiate a deal after a year and a half of street protests, has previously warned that Israel faces a “national emergency”.
Netanyahu’s coalition government, which includes far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, argues that the proposed changes are necessary to ensure a better balance of power.
The United States, a traditional ally of Israel, this Sunday reiterated its concern over the political turmoil, with Biden encouraging Israeli leaders to postpone the vote.
“From the perspective of Israel’s friends in the United States, it appears that the current justice reform proposal is more divisive, not less,” Joe Biden said in a statement first shared by news website Axios and shared with AFP. “There is no point in Israeli leaders rushing this – the focus should be on bringing people together and finding consensus.”
As lawmakers gathered in the Knesset, protesters outside parliament beat drums and horns while chanting “shame on you.”
Herzog, fresh from a trip to Washington, went to Netanyahu’s hospital room on Sunday in a last-minute attempt to negotiate a compromise. The Israeli president warned that “there is a basis for agreement” but that the parties must “show responsibility” to bridge the gap.
Netanyahu said on Sunday afternoon that “we are continuing our efforts to finalize the legislation, and we are doing so in consultation” with the opposition.
The government has taken a “cautious path”, said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the driving force behind the reform.
“We are not revoking the fairness clause, but we are reducing its use so that the personal opinion of a judge does not override the will of the people,” Levin told parliament at the end of a marathon debate leading up to the vote.
“There is no reason to fear this change. There are many reasons to see it as an important step in restoring the balance between public powers,” said Levin.
But opposition leader Yair Lapid said the country was “steering for disaster”.
Opponents accuse Netanyahu, who has challenged corruption charges in court, of a conflict of interest, and some protesters have labeled him “minister of crime”.
“Gateway to Dictatorship”
“This is the gateway to a dictatorship and that’s why we’re here. We’re fighting for our democracy,” said Shahaf Kushinsky, 34, a high-tech worker who protested near parliament ahead of the vote.
The protests drew support from across the political spectrum and from secular and religious groups, labor and technology workers, peace activists and military reservists.
The political struggle for judicial reform is taking place against the backdrop of increasing Israeli-Palestinian violence, an issue rarely raised by protesters.
A protester against the judicial package, Mor Shamgar, 60, has vowed to continue pressure on the government. “They can legislate whatever they want,” Shamgar told AFP. “I will not stop protesting and I don’t mind going to jail.”
Source: DN
