On July 24, Israel’s parliament approved a landmark law as part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial plan to reform the country’s justice system. The approval of the law has sparked new waves of popular protests and accusations that Netanyahu is leading the country into a dictatorship.
On July 24, Israel’s parliament approved a landmark law as part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial plan to reform the country’s justice system. The approval of the law has sparked new waves of popular protests and accusations that Netanyahu is leading the country into a dictatorship.
Netanyahu’s ruling coalition passed the vote unanimously, but the opposition did not walk out of the hall in protest.
Netanyahu’s ruling coalition passed the vote unanimously, but the opposition did not walk out of the hall in protest.
This development exacerbated existing divisions within the country, strained its delicate social fabric and even raised concerns about the unity of its powerful military. In addition, Israel’s closest ally, the United States, has repeatedly expressed concern over these developments.
This development exacerbated existing divisions within the country, strained its delicate social fabric and even raised concerns about the unity of its powerful military. In addition, Israel’s closest ally, the United States, has repeatedly expressed concern over these developments.
The parliamentary decision came hours after Netanyahu’s decision Discharged from hospitalThere he underwent the implantation of a pacemaker, adding another dramatic twist to the ongoing events.
The parliamentary decision came hours after Netanyahu’s decision Discharged from hospitalThere he underwent the implantation of a pacemaker, adding another dramatic twist to the ongoing events.
As Netanyahu’s supporters celebrated their victory and vowed to press ahead with more reforms, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to voice their opposition.
As Netanyahu’s supporters celebrated their victory and vowed to press ahead with more reforms, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to voice their opposition.
Moreover, opponents of the law have stated their intentions to challenge it in the Supreme Court, signaling an ongoing battle over proposed changes to the country’s justice system.
Moreover, opponents of the law have stated their intentions to challenge it in the Supreme Court, signaling an ongoing battle over proposed changes to the country’s justice system.
“It’s a sad day,” the Associated Press quoted opposition leader Yair Lapid as saying after the vote. “This is not a victory for the coalition. This is the destruction of Israeli democracy.”
“It’s a sad day,” the Associated Press quoted opposition leader Yair Lapid as saying after the vote. “This is not a victory for the coalition. This is the destruction of Israeli democracy.”
From limiting the Supreme Court’s ability to challenge parliamentary rulings to changing the process of selecting judges, the comprehensive reform is undergoing a wide range of reforms aimed at curbing the power of the judiciary.
From limiting the Supreme Court’s ability to challenge parliamentary rulings to changing the process of selecting judges, the comprehensive reform is undergoing a wide range of reforms aimed at curbing the power of the judiciary.
Demonstrators see the overhaul as an attempt to seize power, driven by Netanyahu’s personal and political grievances. His ongoing trial on corruption charges, along with the involvement of his allies, adds further fuel to protesters’ concerns about the motives behind the reform.
Demonstrators see the overhaul as an attempt to seize power, driven by Netanyahu’s personal and political grievances. His ongoing trial on corruption charges, along with the involvement of his allies, adds further fuel to protesters’ concerns about the motives behind the reform.
Conversely, Netanyahu and his supporters argue that these changes improve democracy by reducing the influence of unelected judges and giving elected officials more control over decision-making.
Conversely, Netanyahu and his supporters argue that these changes improve democracy by reducing the influence of unelected judges and giving elected officials more control over decision-making.
The White House, which has repeatedly called for Netanyahu to suspend his reconstruction plan until a broad consensus is reached, expressed regret.
The White House, which has repeatedly called for Netanyahu to suspend his reconstruction plan until a broad consensus is reached, expressed regret.
“It is unfortunate that today’s vote was held with the smallest possible majority,” it said.
“It is unfortunate that today’s vote was held with the smallest possible majority,” it said.
Netanyahu rejected the criticism in a televised speech. “Today we did a necessary democratic act that was meant to restore balance between the branches of government,” he said.
Netanyahu rejected the criticism in a televised speech. “Today we did a necessary democratic act that was meant to restore balance between the branches of government,” he said.
As he spoke, Israel’s Channel 13 TV showed a split screen showing police spraying protesters with water cannons.
As he spoke, Israel’s Channel 13 TV showed a split screen showing police spraying protesters with water cannons.
Under the Israeli system, the prime minister rules through a majority coalition in parliament – effectively giving him control over the executive and legislative branches of government.
Under the Israeli system, the prime minister rules through a majority coalition in parliament – effectively giving him control over the executive and legislative branches of government.
Consequently, the Supreme Court plays a critical oversight role. By trying to weaken the judiciary, critics say Netanyahu and his allies are trying to strip the country of checks and balances and entrench power in a third independent branch of government.
Consequently, the Supreme Court plays a critical oversight role. By trying to weaken the judiciary, critics say Netanyahu and his allies are trying to strip the country of checks and balances and entrench power in a third independent branch of government.