15 judges sit together: Israel’s highest court discusses judicial restructuring

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On Tuesday, for the first time in the country’s history, all fifteen judges met to discuss eight petitions against a recently adopted amendment to the Basic Law. It is still unclear when a decision can be expected. It is expected that the deliberations could last several weeks to months.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government adopted the amendment in late July, which strips the Supreme Court of the ability to take action against “inappropriate” decisions by the government, the prime minister or individual ministers. It is part of a comprehensive legislative proposal to weaken the judiciary. The plans have divided large parts of Israeli society since the beginning of this year.

On Monday evening, tens of thousands of people took to the streets again against the project. Critics see it as a threat to the separation of powers and therefore to Israel’s democracy. Netanyahu’s government argues that the court is too powerful in Israel and interferes too much in political issues.

In Israel’s history, no Basic Law or amendment to a Basic Law has ever been repealed. If this happens now and the government does not accept the decision, the country will face a national crisis.

Such a decision by the court would not be without controversy. Supporters of the proposed law argue that judges do not have the power to decide on changes to basic laws because – unlike parliamentarians or ministers – they are not directly elected by the people. Justice Minister Jariv Levin said before the hearing that the discussion about the possibility of repealing a basic law caused “fatal damage” to democracy.

(SDA)

Source: Blick