The World Briefly

March 21, 2023

A Little Give, a Little Take

Israel

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The Israeli government plans to soften its judicial overhaul proposal following months of mass protests and international criticism over a controversial reform that critics say threatens the country’s democratic foundations, Reuters reported.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Monday that the government would amend a contentious bill that aims to change Israel’s system for selecting judges.

Originally, the bill proposed an 11-strong panel to select judges that would include three cabinet ministers, two coalition lawmakers and two public figures selected by the government – delivering a 7-4 vote majority for the government.

But the amended proposal now envisages the panel as being made up of three cabinet ministers, three coalition lawmakers, three judges and two opposition lawmakers – making for a slimmer and less assured 6-5 majority for the government.

The amended bill also states that in any given parliamentary session, no more than two Supreme Court justices may be selected by a panel vote. Any appointments beyond that would require a majority vote from the selection panel, which would include at least one judge and one opposition lawmaker.

Netanyahu described the revised overhaul as “extending a hand to anyone who genuinely cares about national unity and the desire to reach an agreed accord.”

The amendments came following a phone call between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden, who expressed “concern” about the original plan, and urged a compromise on the planned reform.

The US president, on behalf of Israel’s closest ally, told the Israeli leader that “democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the US-Israel relationship, that democratic societies are strengthened by genuine checks and balances, and that fundamental changes should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support.”

Meanwhile, protest groups dismissed the move to soften the legislation and called the latter a “declaration of war,” while opposition lawmakers said they would challenge it in the Supreme Court, according to the Middle East Eye.

Tens of thousands of Israelis have demonstrated against the bill since it was proposed earlier this year, calling it undemocratic. The prime minister and his right-wing allies have countered that the reform seeks to restore the balance of power between the branches of government.

Netanyahu is currently on trial for corruption charges and some critics say the overhaul could allow him to evade a trial, or even see his case dismissed.

This story originally appeared in the March 21, 2023 newsletter, A Hatchet in the Ground.