The right-wing government’s majority in Israel’s parliament approved other parts of the controversial restructuring of the judiciary on first reading. A majority of Knesset lawmakers first approved a provision that would prevent Israel’s Supreme Court from blocking government appointments of ministers. Later, another bill overcame the first hurdle that would have made it significantly more difficult for the court to overturn legislation passed by Parliament.
The vote was again accompanied by loud protests within the Knesset. Lawmakers chanted “bunch of thugs” to most of the government before some of them were kicked out of the House. Tens of thousands of Israelis have been on the streets for weeks against the judicial reform announced by the government of Benjamin Netanyahu in early January. Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, regained power in late December with the help of a right-wing religious alliance.
concern for the rule of law
Restructuring the judiciary is a key far-right coalition government project in Israel’s history, which includes ultra-Orthodox and far-right parties. The head of government describes the reform as necessary to restore balance in the separation of powers.
According to Netanyahu’s reasoning, the judiciary in Israel currently has too much power. Critics, on the other hand, see this as an attack on the rule of law. UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk has expressed concern for human rights and the rule of law in Israel, and President Isaac Herzog has also expressed his concern.
The part of the reform now passed at first reading, which would remove the Supreme Court’s ability to bar ministerial appointments, is known in Israel as the “Deri 2” law – named after the head of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, Arje Deri, whom Netanyahu originally referred to as health – and wanted to appoint interior ministers.