Turmoil in Israel

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• News Summary: Turmoil in Israel
• What are the proposed judicial reforms against which Israelis are protesting?
• What are the concerns of the protesters?
• How has the government responded?

 

Why in news?

• Tens of thousands of Israelis are in the streets, protesting Israeli government’s plans to reform the judicial system.
• The protesters say that these reforms will threaten democratic checks and balances on ministers by the courts.

 

News Summary: Turmoil in Israel

What are the proposed judicial reforms against which Israelis are protesting?

• Protests in Israel have been a weekly fixture on Saturday evenings ever since Netanyahu and his far-right allies came to power in December 2022. 
• However, they intensified after the government under Netanyahu unveiled the ruling coalition’s proposal to overhaul the country’s legal system in January 2023.
• The plan includes four major changes:
  • The government wants to enable the 120-member parliament, or Knesset, to override any Supreme Court judgement by a simple majority of 61 votes unless those rulings are unanimous.
  • Another bill takes away the High Court’s determination that it can strike down Basic Law in cases where the Knesset has misused its authority.
    • Israel has no constitution, and many of the rights and freedoms that its people enjoy are contained in Basic Law.
  • Also, a law has been proposed that would give a greater role to lawmakers in the appointment of Supreme Court judges.
    • As of now, a committee comprising professionals, justices and lawmakers elevate judges to the top court.
    • The new change would provide lawmakers a majority in the committee.
  • The government wants to allow ministers to choose their own legal advisors instead of using independent professionals.

 

What are the concerns of the protesters?

• The protesters say the future of Israeli democracy is at stake if the government succeeds in pushing through the plans.
• The proposed reform would: 
  • tighten political control over judicial appointments;
  • limit the Supreme Court’s powers to overturn government decisions or declare Knesset laws unconstitutional.
• It would also empower the government to overrule the court’s decisions.
• The protesters say the plans will undermine the rights of minorities and open the doors to more corruption.

 

How has the government responded?

• Netanyahu has dismissed the protests as a refusal by left-wing opponents to accept the results of November’s election.
• The government has defended the judicial change proposals saying they will restore a proper balance between the three branches of the government.
  • Netanyahu’s coalition government has claimed that its reform plans would restore power to elected representatives instead of interventionist judges.

 

---

Q1) What is the Basic Law of Israel?

The Basic Laws of Israel are a series of laws that serve as the de facto constitution of Israel. Unlike most constitutions, which are adopted in a single document, the Basic Laws were passed separately over time by the Knesset, Israel's parliament. The Basic Law: The Knesset, passed in 1958, is considered to be the first Basic Law and outlines the powers and functions of the Israeli parliament, known as the Knesset.
 

Q2) What is Knesset?

The Knesset is the unicameral national legislature of Israel, which serves as the country's parliament. It is located in Jerusalem and is composed of 120 members, known as Knesset members or MKs, who are elected by Israeli citizens through proportional representation in national elections held every four years. The Knesset is responsible for passing laws, approving the government's budget, and overseeing the work of the government and its various ministries. It also has the power to remove the Prime Minister and other senior officials from office through a vote of no confidence

 

---

Source:  Turmoil in Israel: Pushback in the streets as Netanyahu targets judiciary | AlJazeera | BBC | Indian Express