On Monday, Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, voted on a controversial law change. Now Israel’s judges are not allowed to review “unreasonable” laws.
Protesters in Jerusalem were sprayed with water from a water cannon on Monday. Photo: Ammar Awad, Reuters/NTB
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“Is Israel becoming a dictatorship?”
It is a question that has been frequently discussed recently.
The vote on Israel’s judicial reform began on Sunday. Monday continued large protests in the streets. Those who participate believe that democracy is threatened. They were not heard.
On Monday, politicians in the Knesset voted to adopt the first part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to reform the courts.
Now Israel’s parliament has approved parts of the bill, reports Reuters.
Will weaken the courts
Netanyahu’s government has proposed a number of legislative changes. Critics believe that, overall, they will weaken Israel’s judiciary.
In the first instance, it is about banning the “reasonableness test”. The courts use this as a tool to annul laws or decisions they believe are discriminatory or unreasonable.
The reasonableness test has meant that the courts in Israel are considered a strong institution. Earlier this year, the judges ruled that Aryeh Deri, an ultra-Orthodox politician convicted of tax fraud, cannot sit in government.
But now Netanyahu will see an end to such interference from the courts.
He and his government believe that the change in the law is important to protect democracy in Israel. They claim that the courts have too much power over the elected politicians.
– Will destroy the state
The critics, on the other hand, believe that the change in the law will take Israel a step closer to a dictatorship.
Every single Saturday for seven months, protesters have taken to the streets to protest against the bill by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In the past, protesters have warned that the country will “stop” if the government does not turn around.
Several demonstrators have been arrested as a result of the protests. Photo: AMMAR AWAD, Reuters/NTB
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Biden: – Should gather the people
Hours before the vote, the opposition leader, Yair Lapid, stated that a “disaster” is about to happen in the country.
– They want to destroy the state, destroy democracy, destroy Israel’s security, destroy the people and destroy our international relations, on tombstone
US President, Joe Biden, encouraged Netanyahu not to implement the law change in haste.
– Considering the threats and challenges that Israel is now facing, it does not make sense to rush. The focus should be on gathering the people and finding consensus, on the president on Saturday.
2023-07-24 12:53:30
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