“We are not weakening the judicial system, we are strengthening all our systems, democracy and the rule of law that are all dependent on the correct balance between institutions,” Netanyahu said at a press conference during which he presented his coalition’s economic plans.
“This balance that we find in all countries around the world has been somewhat broken, as you know, in Israel, and we have to return it in a responsible way and that’s what we will do,” he added.
Earlier Wednesday evening, Justice Minister Yariv Levin published the first pieces of draft legislation aimed at completely restructuring the legal system as announced last week. The overhaul will grant the government total control over the appointment of judges, including to the High Court, severely limit the High Court’s ability to strike down legislation, and enable the Knesset to re-legislate laws the court does manage to annul with a majority of just 61 MKs.
Since the planned reforms were announced last week, opposition lawmakers have warned they risk upending Israel’s democracy and have urged Israelis to take to the streets to protest. READ MORE
