On Tuesday, the Supreme Court in Israel began hearing the first cases challenging the legitimacy of the controversial judicial reform proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, deepening the confrontation with the far-right government that has caused a major division and put Israel on the brink of a constitutional crisis.
In a sign of the importance of the case, all 15 judges of the Israeli Supreme Court will, for the first time in Israel’s history, hear appeals against the draft law. The committee usually consists of 3 judges, although it sometimes holds extended sessions. The sessions are broadcast live.
The law, which was passed by the Knesset in July, removes the court’s ability to overturn government decisions it deems “unreasonable.”
This is the first part of a broader plan by the Netanyahu government to weaken the control of the Supreme Court and give the ruling coalition more powers.
Unrest and mass protests have dominated the political scene in Israel due to the plans proposed by Netanyahu and his new hard-right government to introduce amendments to the laws of the judiciary, plans that sparked protests at home and concern among allies abroad.
On January 4, Netanyahu’s government announced a plan that would allow the Knesset to overturn some Supreme Court rulings and give the government greater authority to appoint judges.
