Summary

Israel’s parliament ratified the first bill of a judicial overhaul sought by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid a constitutional crisis that has gripped the country for months.

Key Points

• Bill limits Supreme Court power: The amendment restricts the Supreme Court’s authority to void certain government decisions if they are deemed “unreasonable.”
• Protests and Opposition: The bill was passed by a 64-to-0 vote after opposition lawmakers left the session in protest.
• Appeal against the law: A political watchdog group and the centrist opposition leader plan to challenge the law at the Supreme Court.
• Labour union’s warning: The Histadrut labour union threatened a general strike if the government pursued “unilateral” measures, encouraging a compromise.
• Justice Minister’s stance: Justice Minister Yariv Levin defended the reforms as necessary to restore balance among branches of government.
• Deep divide in society: The crisis has caused a significant split in Israeli society and has also affected the military.
• Economic impact: The standoff has led to a decline in Tel Aviv’s main share indices and a depreciation of the shekel against the dollar.
• Police intervention: Police used a water cannon to disperse protesters, leading to arrests and demonstrations on Jerusalem area highways.
• Government’s pushback: Netanyahu’s coalition aims to curb what it perceives as overreach by the Supreme Court.
• Critics’ concerns: Critics say the amendment may lead to abuses of power and weaken checks on the executive’s authority.
• Business and public support: Workers from major banks and companies join protests and strikes against the judicial overhaul.

Details

Israel’s parliament ratified the first bill of a judicial overhaul sought by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after months of unrest and protests that shook the country.

The bill aims to limit the Supreme Court’s power to void certain government decisions if they are considered “unreasonable.” It was approved by a 64-to-0 vote, as opposition lawmakers left the session in protest, expressing their discontent with the changes.

The amendment is part of a series of planned reforms announced by the government earlier in the year. However, its passage has sparked widespread protests across the nation and raised concerns among international allies about the state of Israel’s democracy.

Despite the ratification, the crisis is far from over, as a political watchdog group and the centrist opposition leader have announced their intention to appeal against the law at the Supreme Court.

Efforts to find a compromise between the religious-nationalist coalition government and opposition parties have faced challenges, with the Histadrut labour union threatening a general strike if the government moves forward with what it calls “unilateral” measures.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a key advocate of the reforms, remains resolute in his support for the changes, emphasizing that they aim to restore powers taken from the government and the parliament, despite calls for compromise from international partners.

The crisis has not only caused divisions in Israeli society but has also impacted the military. Protest leaders have asserted that thousands of volunteer reservists will refuse to report for duty if the government proceeds with its plans, while former top military officials have raised concerns about the potential impact on Israel’s war-readiness.

Economic Impact

The crisis has not been confined to the political and social spheres; it has had an adverse effect on the economy as well. Tel Aviv’s main share indices experienced a decline of more than 2.5% immediately after the vote in the Knesset. Additionally, the Israeli shekel continued to lose value against the dollar, experiencing a depreciation of 1.2%.

Public Outcry and Police Intervention

The passing of the bill has triggered significant public outcry, with demonstrators expressing their opposition to the judicial overhaul. The police have been involved in dispersing the protests, using a water cannon and arresting individuals who chained themselves to posts and blocked roads near the parliament building.

Protesters have argued that the bill, rushed through parliament, may lead to potential abuses of power, removing an essential check on the government’s authority in the absence of a formal written constitution.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid has been vocal in his criticism, asserting that while the government may succeed in passing the bill, the underlying issues that sparked the protests will persist.

Business and Public Support for Protests

The protests have gained support from various sectors, including the workforce. Israel’s two largest banks, Leumi and Hapoalim, have granted workers the freedom to participate in the protests without losing pay. Additionally, a forum comprising 150 of the country’s largest companies has gone on strike, and major malls, Azrieli and Big, have closed their stores in solidarity.

The future remains uncertain as the country grapples with the aftermath of this contentious bill and its impact on its democratic foundations, society, and economy.