Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition has passed new laws granting more power to lawmakers in the selection of judges, a move central to a contentious judicial overhaul. This decision comes at a time of ongoing conflict with Hamas, prompting both protests and varied political reactions.
Netanyahu Reignites Controversial Judicial Overhaul Amid Ongoing Conflict
Netanyahu Reignites Controversial Judicial Overhaul Amid Ongoing Conflict
Israeli lawmakers enact legislation granting politicians increased authority in judge selection, reigniting tensions amid the Gaza conflict.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition in Israel has enacted legislation that significantly alters the balance of power in the judicial selection process, reigniting a highly contentious debate that had been temporarily sidelined due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In a session held early Thursday, Israel's Knesset, the nation's 120-seat Parliament, approved two laws that shift the power dynamics concerning the selection of judges, including those of the Supreme Court. The opposition largely boycotted the vote, reflecting the deep divides within Israeli politics.
This legal maneuver is part of Netanyahu's prolonged campaign to expand his coalition's influence over various branches of government. The recent laws, while less extensive than earlier proposals, still risk fueling the outrage that erupted throughout the country before the September 2023 conflicts with Hamas. Prior to the war, mass protests erupted against Netanyahu's attempts to reform the judiciary, which critics argued would undermine its independence.
Protests occurred outside the Knesset on the evening preceding the vote, with demonstrators showcasing Israeli flags. However, the anti-legislation sentiment appeared to be diluted with additional concerns, as many protesters also called for immediate negotiations with Hamas over the issue of hostages. Inside the Knesset, Netanyahu characterized the legal changes as vital to combating an unelected "deep state," echoing sentiments similar to those expressed by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
This latest development signals a rekindling of fierce disputes over the role and independence of the judiciary in Israel, even as the nation grapples with the pressing realities of war and public opinion divided on both the judicial reforms and the ongoing conflict.
