Israel

Israel's Parliament Passes First Judicial Overhaul

JUL 24 2023·Updated AUG 27

Story

Image credit: Hudson Institute [via Wikimedia Commons]

The Facts

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, passed a key bill on Monday that's the first part of the government’s judicial reform plan that has stirred massive protests and controversy throughout the country. With the opposition boycotting the final vote, the first bill of the series of reforms passed 64-0.
BBC News
Monday’s vote strips the Israeli court system of its power to strike down government decisions it deems “unreasonable.” Critics say the bill is undemocratic and seeks to erode Israel’s balance of power, while proponents say the government is looking to rein in an overzealous judiciary.
ABC News
The Knesset’s vote came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the architect of the reforms, was released from the hospital after a sudden health scare prompted doctors to implant a pacemaker in him. Netanyahu suffers from a condition that can cause irregular heartbeats.
ABC News
Vocal displays of opposition have followed the reform plan, with opposing members of parliament shouting “For shame!” during the vote while droves of protesters continued their demonstrations, with some chaining themselves to posts and blocking roads.
Reuters
For six months, Netanyahu’s ruling coalition has looked to implement the judicial reforms that will mark the largest shakeup to Israel’s judiciary since its 1948 founding. The country has no written constitution and a powerful Supreme Court that has used its authority to nix several government bills.
CNN
Israeli Pres. Isaac Herzog was reportedly negotiating a compromise with the opposition before Monday’s approval of the controversial bill. US Pres. Biden warned against Netanyahu’s government pushing through the bill.
EuroNews

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Left narrative

Netanyahu and his far-right government are holding Israel hostage as they look to transform the country’s judiciary and strip it of its power. Israel claims to be a democracy, but everything that's transpired in recent months suggests it's the furthest thing from a democracy. Israel is slipping further and further into a fascist dictatorship as the far right looks to solidify its power without the intention of ever letting it go.

Middle East Monitor

Right narrative

While the opposition may claim to have popular support in opposing the government’s judicial reforms, they don’t realize that they are in the minority for a reason. Most Israelis stand with Netanyahu and his pro-Israel party, and they don’t want a politicized Supreme Court to overstep its bounds and interfere with legitimate legislation. A real democracy allows the people to support the politicians and policies that they want, even if those politicians happen to be on the right.

The Times of Israel