2023-07-24 23:32:00
The Israeli Parliament approved this Monday, July 24 a key clause of judicial reform that seeks to restrict the powers of the Supreme Court to rule on government decisions.
The text was approved by 64 deputies from the prime minister’s right-wing, religious orthodox and far-right coalition Benjamin Netanyahuwhile the opposition decided to boycott the vote.
In a message broadcast on television, Netanyahu defended the approval of this clause as “a necessary democratic stage”. “This stage seeks to reestablish a balance between the powers,” so that “the elected government can apply a policy in accordance with the will of the majority of citizens,” argued the leader.
The session in the Knesset (Parliament), which has 120 legislators, was held in the presence of Netanyahu, 73, who was released from hospital following undergoing surgery on Sunday to fit a pacemaker.
Shortly before, the police dispersed with water hundreds of protesters who were blocking the entrance to the parliament. The reform has caused tens of thousands of protesters to take to the streets since its presentation in early 2023.
Lawfare or impunity: the debate that also divides Israel
Israel: controversy over the reform and the “reasonableness” clause
The vote focused specifically on the so-called “reasonableness” clause, which will limit the ability of judges to overturn government decisions they deem “unreasonable.”
It is the first key clause of the reform to become law. Other proposed changes include giving the government greater power in appointing judges.
The reform, defended by the government, seeks to increase the power of elected officials over that of magistrates.
Netanyahu’s government argues that it needs to curb what it sees as judicial overreach and that change is necessary to ensure a better balance of power.
Critics fear the reform will undermine Israel’s liberal democracy by removing checks and balances on the executive.
The architect of the reform, the Minister of Justice Yariv LevinHe said the government had chosen a “prudent” approach. “We do not annul the ‘reasonableness’ clause, but we reduce its use so that the personal opinions of a judge are not expressed at the expense of the will of the people. There is no reason to fear this amendment,” he argued before the deputies.
Joe Biden called Israel’s judicial reform vote “unfortunate”
The President of the United States criticized the government of Israel following the key clause of the judicial reform that provoked months of massive protests was approved in parliament.
Joe Biden “He has publicly and privately expressed his view that, to last, major changes in a democracy must have as broad a consensus as possible,” the White House said in a statement.
“It is unfortunate that today’s vote took place with the smallest possible majority,” they added from the US.
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