Israeli Parliament Approves Key Part of Netanyahu’s Judicial Overhaul
Jerusalem, Israel – The Israeli parliament on Wednesday approved a key part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial judicial reform bill, as the opposition walked out of the chamber in protest. The bill would give the government more control over the appointment of judges and has been criticized by some as an attempt to weaken the judiciary.
The bill, which was passed by a vote of 64-0, would change the way judges are appointed to the Supreme Court. Currently, the president appoints judges to the Supreme Court, but the bill would give the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, the power to veto the president’s appointments. The bill would also give the government the power to appoint the heads of the country’s other courts.
The opposition, led by the Labor Party, walked out of the chamber in protest before the vote, calling the bill an “attack on democracy.” The bill has been criticized by human rights groups and legal experts, who say it would give the government too much power over the judiciary.
Netanyahu has defended the bill, saying it is necessary to reform the judiciary and make it more accountable. He has said that the bill would not weaken the judiciary but would simply make it more balanced.
The bill is now expected to go to the president for his signature. If he signs it, it will become law.
What does this mean for the judiciary?
The approval of the bill is a major victory for Netanyahu and his allies. It gives the government more control over the appointment of judges, which could lead to a more conservative judiciary. The bill has been criticized by some as an attempt to weaken the judiciary, but it is too early to say what the long-term effects of the bill will be.
What happens next?
The bill now goes to the president for his signature. If he signs it, it will become law. The opposition has said that it will challenge the bill in court, and it is possible that the Supreme Court will strike down the bill. However, if the bill is upheld, it could have a significant impact on the Israeli judiciary.