Israel’s hard-right government on Monday July 24, successfully passed a crucial clause of its contentious judicial reform package in parliament, disregarding months of mass protests and foreign allies’ expressed concerns.
Israel’s hard-right government on Monday pushed through parliament a key clause of its controversial judicial reform package despite months of mass protests and concerns voiced by foreign allies.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition allies approved the bill in a Knesset vote boycotted by opposition lawmakers, some of whom shouted “shame, shame”.
Critics charge the judicial revamp will undermine Israel’s liberal democracy by removing checks and balances on the executive, while the government argues it needs to curb judicial overreach.
The bill, passed with 64 votes in the 120-seat chamber, aims to limit the powers of the Supreme Court in striking down government decisions which the judges deem “unreasonable”.
The reform package has triggered one of the biggest protest movements in Israel’s history since it was unveiled by the government in January.
The Histadrut trade union confederation threatened a general strike in response to the parliamentary vote, urging the government to resume negotiations with the opposition.
A walkout staged by Histadrut in March within hours prompted Netanyahu to halt the legislative process, paving the way for cross-party talks which ultimately collapsed.
The bill was passed hours after Netanyahu, 73, returned to the Knesset, only a day after undergoing surgery to have a pacemaker fitted, as police outside the legislature used water cannon and mounted officers were deployed against a crowd of demonstrators.
President Isaac Herzog, who had tried but failed to broker a compromise after half a year of mass street protests, earlier warned that Israel faced a “national emergency”.
Netanyahu’s coalition government, which includes far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, argues that the proposed changes are needed to ensure a better balance of power.
Israel’s traditional bedrock ally Washington had on Sunday reiterated concern about the political turmoil, with Biden urging Israeli leaders to postpone the vote.
Opponents accuse Netanyahu, who has been fighting corruption charges in court, of a conflict of interest, and some protesters have labelled him the “crime minister”.
The “reasonableness” clause is the first major component of the reform package to become law. Other proposed changes include allowing the government a greater say in the appointment of judges.
Rallies continued into the evening on Monday in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the country’s commercial hub, while demonstrators blocked intercity highways.
Police used water cannon and mounted officers were deployed against a crowd of demonstrators.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
