Israeli Parliament Approves Contentious Judicial Reform, Igniting Outcry

The Israeli Knesset on Thursday passed a key element of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial judicial overhaul plan, despite years of widespread protests and fierce opposition, Al Jazeera reports.

The move has been condemned by critics as an assault on Israeli democracy, further polarizing a nation already deeply divided.

The legislation, approved by a 67-53 vote in the 120-seat parliament, grants politicians greater influence over the selection of judges. This comes just days after the Netanyahu government initiated dismissal proceedings against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and removed Ronen Bar, head of the internal security agency Shin Bet, both of whom have been critical of the Prime Minister.

“This is a catastrophe,” one opposition leader stated, calling the law “a nail in the coffin of Israeli democracy.” The opposition has already filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the legality of the new legislation.

The overall judicial reform package, initially unveiled in early 2023, sparked one of the largest protest movements in Israel’s history, only to be overshadowed by the recent conflict in Gaza. The reforms have deeply divided Israeli society, triggering weekly street demonstrations and accusations of authoritarian overreach.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who sponsored the bill, defended the measure as an attempt to “restore balance” between the legislative and judicial branches. In his closing remarks before the vote, Levin sharply criticized the Supreme Court, accusing it of “effectively nullifying the Knesset.”

Currently, judges, including Supreme Court justices, are selected by a nine-member committee consisting of judges, lawmakers, and bar association representatives, under the supervision of the Justice Minister. Israel lacks a formal, written constitution but operates under a system of Basic Laws.

The new law, which is slated to take effect at the start of the next legislative term, will maintain a nine-member committee. However, the composition will shift, consisting of three Supreme Court judges, the Justice Minister and another minister, one coalition lawmaker, one opposition lawmaker, and two public representatives – one appointed by the majority and the other by the opposition.

Critics fear the overhaul could pave the way for authoritarian rule and enable Netanyahu to evade potential convictions in his ongoing corruption trial. The Prime Minister denies these accusations.