Last Wednesday, Justice Minister Yariv Levin (Likud) unveiled his four-step judicial reform plan, vowing to increase the role of the Knesset and government in appointing judges; enable the Knesset to override Supreme Court rulings overturning laws; barring the Supreme Court’s use of the “reasonableness standard” to overturn Knesset laws or government decisions; and empower ministers to appoint independent legal advisors, separate from those selected by the Justice Ministry.
The proposed changes drew sharp criticism from the Opposition, which accused the Netanyahu government of plotting to overthrow Israeli democracy, and linked the reforms to the ongoing corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
At today’s hearing, MK Simcha Rothman (Religious Zionist Party), chairman of the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee, opened deliberations on the reform package. The committee is set to begin with talks on the bill allowing ministers to appoint independent legal advisors. READ MORE
