Title: Israel’s Parliament Passes Bill Restricting Supreme Court’s Power, Sparking Protests
Date: July 24, 2023
Jerusalem, Israel – In a move that has escalated a constitutional crisis and triggered widespread protests, Israel’s parliament ratified a bill on Monday that limits the power of the Supreme Court to quash government decisions it deems “unreasonable.” The first bill of a judicial overhaul sought by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu passed with a 64-to-0 vote, after opposition lawmakers abandoned the session in protest.
The amendment is part of a broader package of judicial changes announced by the government in January. However, these reforms have faced strong opposition and have led to months of nationwide protests. Concerns for Israel’s democratic health have also been raised by allies abroad.
The bill’s passage was met with demonstrations throughout the day, with protesters chaining themselves to posts and blocking the road outside parliament. By evening, protests had spread to cities across the country.
Shortly after the vote, a political watchdog group and the centrist opposition leader announced their plan to challenge the law at the Supreme Court, indicating that the deadlock is far from resolved.
The crisis has caused a deep divide within Israeli society and has even impacted the military. Protest leaders have stated that thousands of volunteer reservists would refuse to report for duty if the government continues with its plans. Former top brass has warned that Israel’s war-readiness could be at risk.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who played a significant role in shaping the reforms, remained undeterred by the backlash. While Washington repeatedly called for a compromise, Levin announced that the passing of the bill was the first step in the historic process of restoring powers to the government and the parliament.
The passage of the law prompted an economic backlash, with Tel Aviv’s main share indices tumbling as much as 2.5% and the shekel losing ground against the dollar. The head of the Histadrut labor federation threatened to declare a general strike if the government pursued “unilateral” measures after failing to mediate a compromise.
Critics argue that the amendment was rushed through parliament and will remove one of the few effective checks on the executive’s authority in the country, which lacks a formal written constitution. Opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that while the government may have won this battle, they would not win the war.
The situation has escalated to the point where some of Israel’s largest companies went on strike, and shopping centers announced the closure of stores in solidarity with the protests.
The developments have drawn international attention, with the White House urging Israeli leaders to seek consensus through political dialogue. However, spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre expressed disappointment that the vote passed with the slimmest majority.
As the crisis continues, all eyes are on the Supreme Court and the path the opposition will take to challenge the controversial law, which threatens to reshape the balance of power in Israel’s government and judiciary.
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