Israeli president urges government and opposition to compromise as protesters rally for and against Netanyahu’s judicial changes.
Israeli lawmakers advanced parts of a contentious plan by the right-wing government to reduce the power of the Supreme Court, defying threats by protesters to shut down large parts of the economy.
Israeli lawmakers on Monday approved the contentious plan of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to restrict the influence of the Supreme Court, defying a wide array of opposition movements that have threatened to shut down large parts of the country with protests. The plan limits the ways in which the Supreme Court can overturn government decisions, part of a deeply divisive judicial overhaul that has led to perhaps Israel’s gravest domestic crisis since its founding 75 years ago. The stakes could hardly be higher for Mr. Netanyahu, and for Israel, where mass protests have repeatedly erupted over the plan since January. The decision to press ahead with the overhaul could disrupt Israel’s economy, further strain the country’s relations with the Biden administration, and lead thousands of military reservists, a core part of Israel’s armed forces, to refuse to volunteer for duty. Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, has warned that the schism could lead to civil war. Mr. Netanyahu is caught between stabilizing his coalition, which includes far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties that have their own reasons for wanting to restrict the powers of the Supreme Court, and appeasing the fury of more liberal Israelis who oppose giving the government more control over the judiciary.
What was at stake in the vote? The dispute is part of a wider ideological and cultural standoff between Mr. Netanyahu’s government and its supporters, who want to make Israel into a more religious and nationalist state, and their opponents, who hold a more secular and pluralist vision of the country. The governing coalition says the court has too much leeway to intervene in political decisions and that it undermines Israeli democracy by giving unelected judges too much power over elected lawmakers. What to Know About Israel’s Judiciary Overhaul Card 1 of 5 A divisive proposal. Israel is in the throes of a monthslong dispute over a plan to overhaul the country’s judiciary. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government contends that the Supreme Court has unchecked power, but critics of the proposal say it goes too far in limiting the institution. Here is what to know: What is the government trying to do? The government has tried to enact bills that would give it more control over the selection of Supreme Court judges and restrict the court’s ability to override Parliament. After a wave of protests, Netanyahu paused those efforts in March, and talks seeking a compromise began. The opposition quit the negotiations in June; a month later, the government decided to proceed with a bill that would limit the court’s ability to strike down decisions by elected officials. Parliament passed the bill on July 24. What do opponents of the overhaul say? Critics say the plan would place unchecked power in the hands of the government of the day, remove protections afforded to individuals and minorities and deepen Israel’s divisions. They also fear that Netanyahu, who is standing trial on corruption charges, could use the changes to extricate himself from his legal troubles. Why is Israel divided? In broad terms, the schism has divided Israelis into two groups: those who want a more secular and pluralist state and those with a more religious and nationalist vision. To its critics, particularly ultra-Orthodox Jews, the Supreme Court is seen as the last bastion of the secular, centrist elite who dominated Israel during its earliest decades. Who is protesting? The opposition has mainly been driven by secular centrists who fear the overhaul will threaten their freedoms, but there is also resistance from parts of the religious right who say the government has pushed too far and too fast. The plan has also drawn opposition from crucial components of Israeli society: the military, universities and trade unions. The coalition says the court has too often acted against right-wing interests — for instance by preventing some construction of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank or striking down certain privileges granted to ultra-Orthodox Jews, like exemption from military service. Opponents fear that the measure will make the court much less able to prevent government overreach. They say that the government, unbound by independent courts, may find it easier to end the prosecution of Mr. Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges. In particular, some warn that the government would have more freedom to replace the attorney general, Gali Baharav-Miara, who oversees Mr. Netanyahu’s prosecution in an ongoing corruption case. Mr. Netanyahu has denied any plan to disrupt his trial. Editors’ Picks Why It’s Smart to Revisit New Year’s Savings Goals Now What It’s Like to Live With a Tick-Borne Disease The Lower East Side Fabric Store That Helped Outfit ‘Bridgerton’ ADVERTISEMENT