Israel MPs approve key judicial reform clause as protests flare
Published: 05:07 PM,Jul 24,2023 | EDITED : 09:07 PM,Jul 24,2023
Protesters run after crossing the police line at the entrance to the Knesset during a demonstration against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and government's judicial overhaul, in Jerusalem. — Reuters
JERUSALEM: 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 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.
'From the perspective of Israel's friends in the United States, it looks like the current judicial reform proposal is becoming more divisive, not less,' he said in a statement.
'It doesn't make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this — the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus.'
While legislators met inside, protesters outside parliament booed, beat drums, blew horns and chanted 'shame'.
The government had taken a 'cautious path', said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the driving force behind the revamp.
'We are not cancelling the reasonableness clause but reducing its use, so that a judge's personal opinions won't come at the expense of the people's desire,' he told parliament at the end of a marathon debate before 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'. — AFP
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 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.
'From the perspective of Israel's friends in the United States, it looks like the current judicial reform proposal is becoming more divisive, not less,' he said in a statement.
'It doesn't make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this — the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus.'
While legislators met inside, protesters outside parliament booed, beat drums, blew horns and chanted 'shame'.
The government had taken a 'cautious path', said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the driving force behind the revamp.
'We are not cancelling the reasonableness clause but reducing its use, so that a judge's personal opinions won't come at the expense of the people's desire,' he told parliament at the end of a marathon debate before 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'. — AFP