Judicial reform in Israel clears another hurdle – warning of state crisis Identity clarified: This is the Ukrainian sniper shot down

Despite violent protests, Israel’s controversial judicial reform is making great strides. On Tuesday evening, the parliament in Jerusalem passed amendments on a number of important points in first reading.

The parliament can thus in the future overturn decisions of the Supreme Court by a simple majority. This effectively undermines the court’s ability to legally review laws.

Critics accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of trying to weaken the country’s independent judiciary. They see the separation of powers as a pillar of democracy in danger. There have been massive protests for weeks.

The crisis also overshadowed a Netanyahu visit to Berlin. On Thursday he will meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz there. Protests are also expected in Berlin.

According to Israeli media reports, the government plans to fast-track the core elements of the controversial reform before the end of this month. Two more readings are needed for the changes to take effect. The restructuring of the judiciary could also play into the hands of Netanyahu in a corruption case against him. The law changes are also being pushed through under pressure from Netanyahu’s strictly religious coalition partners.

The reform also aims to make it more difficult for the Supreme Court to revoke laws it says violate a basic law. This would require a majority of at least 12 of the 15 judges. So far, a simple majority has sufficed.

Because Israel does not have a written constitution and the state is based on a set of basic laws, the Supreme Court is of particular importance in upholding the rule of law and human rights. Netanyahu’s government argues that the Supreme Court currently wields too much political influence. His coalition is the most right-wing the country has ever had.

Parliament also passed a first-reading amendment that would make it significantly more difficult to declare a prime minister incapacitated. In the future, a three-quarters majority in parliament is required for this. Only health reasons may be used as justification. The move is intended to prevent the Supreme Court or the Attorney General’s Office from influencing the case.

A non-governmental organization recently petitioned the Supreme Court to have Netanyahu declared incapacitated over his corruption trial. According to her, the amendment to the law is tailored to his personal needs and intended to protect him from the consequences.

Another aim of the reform is to give politicians more influence in the appointment of judges. Netanyahu’s government would then be the first to benefit and replace unwanted judges.

There have been massive protests against the judicial reform for ten weeks, but attempts to reach a compromise have so far failed. There are mounting warnings that Israel is rapidly heading for a dangerous state crisis. Israeli President Izchak Herzog said on Monday night: “We are in a bad, very bad situation”. An agreement must be reached by all means to lead Israel out of the crisis. He addresses opponents and supporters of the reform. Herzog is expected to issue a compromise proposal in the coming days. The opposition is demanding a complete halt to the project as a precondition for negotiations.

(yam/sda/dpa)