In a significant move that has intensified an ongoing constitutional crisis, Israel’s parliament has ratified the first bill of a judicial overhaul proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The amendment, which limits the Supreme Court’s powers to void certain government decisions, passed by a 64-to-0 vote after opposition lawmakers staged a protest and abandoned the session.
The legislative package, announced by the government in January, aims to bring more balance among the branches of government and curb what it perceives as political interventionism by the Supreme Court. However, critics argue that the changes will remove effective checks on the executive’s authority, leading to potential abuses of power and raising concerns about Israel’s democratic health.
The approval of the amendment triggered mass demonstrations across the country. Protesters, who had earlier chained themselves to posts and blocked roads outside the parliament, clashed with police, resulting in at least 19 arrests. The crisis has deeply divided Israeli society, even impacting the military, as some reservists pledged not to report for duty if the government proceeds with its plans.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a key architect of the legislative package, described the vote as a “first step” towards their objectives. However, political watchdog groups and opposition leaders immediately announced their intention to appeal against the law in the Supreme Court.
The situation has drawn attention from allies abroad, with the White House urging Israel’s leaders to seek broad consensus through political dialogue. Concerns have also arisen over the potential impact on the nation’s economy, as share indices in Tel Aviv tumbled by as much as 2.5% after the vote, and the shekel slid 1% against the dollar.
Netanyahu, who was recently discharged from the hospital, addressed the nation after the vote, expressing his willingness to engage in dialogue with the opposition to reach an all-inclusive agreement by the end of November. He emphasized the need for Israel to remain a strong democracy while safeguarding individual rights and preserving the independence of the courts.
Despite the passing of the amendment, opposition leaders have vowed to challenge the changes, with some threatening to declare a general strike if the government insists on pursuing “unilateral” measures. The crisis continues to unfold, with both the government and opposition standing firm on their positions.
As Israel grapples with this internal turmoil, the future trajectory of its judiciary and democratic principles remains uncertain.