The controversial judicial reform of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government passed its first test in the Knesset on Monday evening despite protests that have escalated in recent weeks as it represents an assault on democracy. The proposal, which would amend the process for appointing judges and prevent the Supreme Court from blocking legislation deemed incompatible with fundamental laws, was approved at first reading with 63 deputies voting in favor and 47 against. Council on Settlements.
That’s what the polls show two-thirds of Israelis oppose judicial reform, with 70% of those polled by the Israel Institute of Democracy saying the ruling coalition and the opposition should engage in dialogue to reach a compromise About the subject. Protests against the law, which strengthens political control over the judiciary, have been constant, with criticism reaching out to economists, security and legal specialists, and even foreign allies.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog yesterday lamented that the executive has ignored calls for dialogue and defended that there is still time. “We must make every effort to continue negotiations after this vote to reach an agreed outline that will lead us out of this difficult period into a period of agreed constitutional reforms,” he said. mention. Out of this first project came the proposal that delegates have the power to overturn some Supreme Court decisions by simple majority. This will be filled in later.
Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid has criticized the coalition “destroy the nation” with this reform, pledging to keep fighting against it, as former Secretary of Defense Benny Gantz spoke “a dark day for democracy”. For Netanyahu, however, it was “a great night and a great day,” with his government agreeing to negotiate but refusing to halt the legislative process. After the first reading, the bill will go to the Knesset Committee on Constitution, Law and Justice, to prepare for second and third readings before it becomes law — it could be as early as late March.
Collision with the UN
The judicial reform has even been criticized by Israel’s allies. During a visit to the country at the beginning of the month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reminded – without referring specifically to this reform – that “reaching consensus for the new proposals is the most effective way to guarantee that they are embraced by all and the latter”. Yesterday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk called for a “pause” in the reform, claiming that if it goes ahead there is a risk of “weakening of human rights protection”.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s clash with the US worsened afterward the UN Security Council, by consensus of its 15 members, adopts a statement opposing the construction of new settlements in the West Bank. The text also opposes “the confiscation of Palestinian land and the legalization of existing settlements, the demolition of Palestinian homes and the displacement of Palestinian civilians”, as these plans “interfere with the peace”.
Netanyahu’s office has reacted violently, claiming that the Security Council’s statement is “one-sided” – ignoring recent months’ terror attacks against Israeli civilians – and “denies the rights of Jews to live in the historic homeland”. The prime minister spared no criticism of key allies, arguing that “the statement should never have been made and the US should never have joined it”. This is despite Washington softening the original proposal by blocking a binding resolution that would require the suspension of all settlement-related activities.
Source: DN
